Stalwart physio leaves Birmingham

Birmingham physio Neil McDiarmid is to leave the club after 14 years service at St Andrew's.

He has decided to quit to concentrate more on his private practice, having joined the club when Barry Fry was manager in 1994.

"I'd like to say a big farewell to Neil and wish him well with his business," said Blues boss Alex McLeish.

"We know that we've always got a friend there and someone we can call on if we need his advice on medical matters."

Fitness coach Dan Harris is also heading out of the club after spending the last two years establishing an in-house sports science department. He is crossing the West Midlands to join Premier League new boys West Bromwich Albion.

"Dan has left a good infrastructure here and it's important we keep that intact because it's gathered momentum," said McLeish.

"We don't want to pull the rug from under any of that just now because it would mean we have to start again."