Steve Bruce is looking to bring in "two or three more players" before the January transfer window closes after admitting his Birmingham squad has been unable to cope with injuries.

Bruce has already signed striker Chris Sutton from Celtic until the end of the season with a view to the player extending his stay for another 12 months if that suits both parties.

But the City manager is aware that he needs more new blood to help Blues in their uphill battle to survive in the Premiership.

Bruce was disappointed to lose out to Wigan for the signature of Austria international defender Paul Scharner after tracking the player for several months.

He said: "I'd like two or three more players in if I could. I keep reading about Newcastle United and the problems they've got. We've faced those sort of problems for six months.

"Our squad hasn't been able to cope. I thought it might but it hasn't. It has taught us all a harsh lesson of how tough and unrelenting the Premier League is.

"I've said repeatedly that I'm not just going to bring in people who won't improve us and usually the big clubs, the better clubs, don't let their best players go.

Elsewhere, Kevin Bond has returned to Portsmouth as assistant manager where he rejoins boss Harry Redknapp.

Bond had been expected to make the return after leaving Southampton following George Burley's appointment.