Lee Clark has revealed that he is not expecting to bolster his striking options at Birmingham City with a loan signing.

Reports had claimed that Clark was in the market for a centre-forward after Leroy Lita's temporary spell with the club was cut short yesterday because of a thigh injury.

However, Clark has conceded that a lack of funds is likely to scupper any potential deal.

"I think we're all acutely aware of how careful we have to be spending our money and making sure it's not only the right quality of player and right character who will fit in," said Clark. "We are scouring around and seeing what's about.

"I think the easiest way of putting it is this - how many clubs are going to let out their top strikers at this moment in time?

"We have three senior ones at the club in Marlon King, Nikola Zigic and Peter Lovenkrands. Hopefully Akwasi Asante won't be too far away either, in the next couple of weeks or so. Nathan Redmond can play that role as well."

The Blues are currently 19th in the Championship table.