BIRMINGHAM WORKS ON MARTINS' MOVE

•Martins
Birmingham still has some ways to go before its move for Obafemi Martins can be pushed through.

The Blues are keen to bring the Newcastle's former striker back to the Premier League from Rubin Kazan, with a loan switch touted.

Rubin os prepared to sanction the deal and revealed on Friday that it considered an agreement to be in place.

However, Birmingham admited it was some ways off completing a deal, with a number of issues still to be ironed out.

Martins is due in England on Sunday to continue negotiations, but will then need to undergo a medical and secure a work permit before he can link up with the Blues.

It is hoped a switch can be completed before the 11p.m deadline on Monday, but Birmingham now faces a race against time. Alex McLeish has been desperately searching for attacking reinforcements ever since the January transfer window swung open its doors for business.

The Scot has been left frustrated in his effort so far, though, with moves for Robbie Keane and Kenny Miller coming to nothing. He will now be hoping for better luck regarding Martins, who spent three years at St James' Park between 2006 and 2009.

He scored 39 goals in 105 appearances during that spell, before moving on to take in 12 months at German outfit Wolfsburg.