Gary Rowett has revealed that he still intends to strengthen his Birmingham City squad, despite the capture of Shane Lowry on a free transfer.

The 26-year-old has joined the Blues until the end of the season after activating a release clause in his Leyton Orient contract.

Versatile Lowry can slot in at left-back or in central defence, but Rowett is hopeful of further adding to his options in pursuit of a playoff push.

"Shane's a player we obviously looked at in pre-season," he told the club's official website. "We couldn't do it at that point, for various reasons. Obviously he made a decision to instigate a clause in his contract with Leyton Orient that allowed him to go on a free transfer, which was always the deal if they happened to be relegated.

"He's one for us who fits in that group we need to strengthen - i.e. the defenders. It gives us now eight defenders, which we are quite pleased with. I don't think this is necessarily going to stop us strengthening further.

"But, as always, you have got to try and put little building blocks in place in different positions and with different types of players. I remember watching him when he played a full season for Millwall at left-back and left side centre-back. He was excellent that season and had quite a few Championship clubs bidding for him."

Lowry's arrival at St Andrew's on Wednesday afternoon marked Birmingham's eighth signing of the summer.