Birmingham tie up Blake deal

Birmingham City have formally completed the signing of Burnley striker Robbie Blake in a £1.5million deal.

The two clubs had agreed a fee over the weekend for the 28-year-old player who has scored 13 goals this season.

Now Blake has reached agreement with Blues over personal terms after passing a medical.

Blake is expected to be introduced to the Birmingham supporters attending tonight's Barclays Premiership clash with Bolton at St Andrews.

The former Bradford and Darlington marksman scored 22 goals last season and will provide Blues manager Steve Bruce with much needed extra fire-power.

At present he only has two fit strikers in Clinton Morrison and Emile Heskey, given that Dwight Yorke is sidelined with a hamstring problem.

Bruce said: "Robbie is a player who I am confidence can make the step up into the Premiership. I felt it was important we brought in another striker at this stage.

"Losing Mikael Forssell was a big blow earlier in the season and, with Dwight Yorke injured, it's not been healthy to have only two fit strikers for the last few weeks."

Blake will not be eligible to make his debut in Saturday's FA Cup third-round clash with visiting Leeds United.