Birmingham return for Baros?

While the prospect of Derby's Kenny Miller moving to Birmingham in January isn't too exciting, the speculation surrounding former Aston Villa striker Milan Baros moving to St Andrews is more interesting.

Baros, who is still held in high regard by a sizeable part of the Villa support, moved to Lyon in January in exchange for Sir Flop-a-lot, otherwise known as John Carew.

However, Baros is now regarded as third-choice striker by Lyon boss Alain Perrin and Birmingham, Wigan and Middlesbrough are all considering bids to bring the Czech star back to England, according to reports.

Although Baros was never a prolific goal-scorer with either Villa or Liverpool, his performances with the Czech Republic national team have proved he knows where the net is - and he won the Golden Boot in the 2004 World Cup.

As yesterday's Birmingham Post rightly stated: "Baros did not find it hard settling in the area during his time with Villa - it was his football that was the problem - and he has a strong affection for England, having made his name as a striker with pace and energy during three successful years with Liverpool."

If Baros was given good enough service by the players around him - something he didn't get at Villa Park or, to a lesser extent, Anfield - then there is no reason to doubt he could help improve Birmingham's poor rate of scoring. And, at just 26, he still has plenty of years left in him.

Hopefully Alex McLeish will be given enough funds to at least consider signing such a proven international - and if not Baros, then someone of at least a similar standing in European football.

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