McLeish likes Zarate's swagger

Published on Monday 28 January 2008 21:39

BIRMINGHAM's latest signing Mauro Zarate has set his sights on making as big an impact on the Barclays Premier League as fellow Argentine Carlos Tevez.

And his manager Alex McLeish has welcomed such confidence and belief from striker Zarate ahead of tonight's crunch relegation meeting with Sunderland at the Stadium Of Light.

McLeish confirmed Zarate will play some part in the clash with Roy Keane's side after signing him from Qatar outfit Al Sadd for the remainder of the season.

He was one of the stars of the 2007 FIFA Under-20 World Cup finals but failed to settle in Dubai and is now looking to make an impact with Birmingham and keep them in the top flight.

Zarate said: "I'd like to stay at Birmingham longer than Tevez stayed at West Ham but I hope I can do everything Tevez has been doing and can replicate his success."

McLeish said: "It is great to hear lads having confidence in themselves and ambition. Sometimes people knock it and say 'who does he think he is?.' But we have got to have guys like that, guys who are confident and have got a bit of a swagger about them."

James McFadden is poised to make his full debut but David Murphy is still building up match fitness and will not be considered.

WIGAN WARNING

WIGAN manager Steve Bruce has warned Middlesbrough that his club have set their sights on dragging them into the relegation mire when they meet tonight.

Bruce is hopeful Wigan can continue their unbeaten run at the Riverside Stadium.

"We can go above Middlesbrough so they're in it with us," he said.