Birmingham boss Chris Hughton expects player departures

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Hughton expecting tough season with Blues

Birmingham City's new boss Chris Hughton admits some of the club's big names are likely to leave St Andrew's but he is hopeful of replacing them.

Defenders Scott Dann and Roger Johnson as well as keeper Ben Foster are among the players linked with moves away.

"There have been offers for players and we have to work around the next few days to determine whether the offers are right," Hughton told BBC WM.

"That'd be the first issue, making the decisions we have to make on players."

The former Newcastle manager admits he is not entirely sure what proportion of any transfer fees he would be able to reinvest in players, although clearly new faces will be required.

"What will happen, certainly over the next couple of weeks, is that you'll see a lot of movement from players. We've already seen movement from other clubs," Hughton noted.

"What you don't want to be is left in a position come the last week of pre-season where you're desperate to bring players in.

"There are financial implications to be being relegated, and we have to try and manoeuvre that situation the best way that we can. At this moment we're talking hypothetically because every one of those players is still at this football club."

The ex-Tottenham and Republic of Ireland defender is still to finalise his back-room team at St Andrew's, but hopes to have that resolved within the next few days.