A year after relegation, Birmingham City will make a return to the top flight of English football determined to balance the desire to extend their stay beyond a single season with a sensible approach to financial management.

Chairman David Gold is insistent that the club will not follow the Leeds United’s and Southampton’s in spending more than they can afford in search of success. Manager Alex McLeish guided the Blues through a tough Championship campaign where they never left top three position and the board’s decision to back the Scot to take them back to the Premier League was proven to be the right one. However, there will be a need to add to the current crop of players if Birmingham are not to struggle from the off in 2009/10. Kevin Phillips once again proved his worth as a goal-scorer including the vital strike on the last day. Stephen Carr came out of retirement earned himself a new contract. Yet an estimate of five new faces is Chairman Gold’s perception of the club’s requirements although the ability of McLeish to attract the necessary quality within the natural financial constraints will be tested.