Zola considering new deals for Birmingham City players

Eight of Blues` first team squad will be entering the final year of their contracts next summer and Gianfranco Zola will decide whether to offer them extended and improved terms. Tomasz Kuszczak, Adam Legzdins, Paul Robinson, Jonathan Spector, Jonathan Grounds, Paul Caddis, David Davis and Reece Brown are all contracted until June 2017.

You would hope that Zola is looking to strengthen his squad in January. However he will also be looking at the situation internally with the players he has inherited. From the eight players mentioned above, four (Kuszczak, Grounds, Spector and Davis) are regular first team starters.

Vital Blues understands that former manager Gary Rowett was set to offer club captain Paul Robinson a one ear extension. However, nothing has been drawn up and no talks had taken place meaning Zola can make the call on him.

Robbo was introduced from the bench in the 2-1 defeat to Brighton, Zola`s first game in charge, but recently turned 38 and has found his opportunities limited this season. He works in a coaching capacity with the development squad, a role which may become a more permanent fixture.

Zola`s negotiating hand is stronger than that of his predecessors. New owners Trillion Trophy Asia (TTA) are backing their manager with funds. Yesterday, loanee Lukas Jutkiewicz completed his permanent switch from Burnley for £1m on a three-and-a-half year deal with a one year option.

And don`t forget my Birmingham City loan watch article, where I said “Birmingham City manager Gianfranco Zola has confirmed he is ‘running the rule` over the entire squad, including the academy players and players currently out on loan. Blues currently have six players out on loan at other clubs. Rob Wildey looks at how they are faring.