Birmingham City have back-up plan if they fail to land Greg Stewart

[News Bot]

Birmingham City have identified a forward alternative should their chase of Dundee attacker Greg Stewart fail.

Blues boss Gary Rowett is believed to be considering turning his attentions to former Dundee United man Johnny Russell if he cannot match the Dark Blues’ demands for Stewart.

The English second-tier outfit have seen one bid — thought to be around £300,000 — rejected by Dundee managing director John Nelms.

Former United man Johnny Russell

And they are understood to be readying another, improved offer, toppling the £325,000 bid from an as-yet-unnamed suitor, which was rejected on Monday.

But should that fail, they’ve identified alternatives to Stewart. At the top of Rowett’s list of back-up options is believed to be Derby County’s Russell.

Despite being a regular at Pride Park since his United departure for around £750,000 in the summer of 2013, Russell has been made available by the Rams. And City, as well as Sheffield Wednesday and a host of other Football League clubs, have shown an interest.

Russell would be a more expensive option, with Derby keen to recoup much of what they paid the Tangerines three years ago. But he has what Stewart cannot offer — Champion-ship experience — which may persuade Birmingham to cough up, rather than splash out on the unproven former Cowdenbeath man.

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