Bruce warns new Birmingham chief to keep out of team affairs

Manager Bruce has reacted defiantly to the utilities magnate's public utterances over the pool of talent available in the Far East by setting down clear lines of demarcation between himself and his possible future employer.

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Yeung spent £15million acquiring a 29.9 per cent stake in Birmingham a fortnight ago and has an agreement in place with current owners David Sullivan and the Gold brothers David and Ralph to mount an unconditional bid for the remainder of their shareholding.

However, until he does so, the status quo has been preserved. Former Manchester United Double-winner Bruce reports first to managing director Karren Brady and then to her superiors.

At a press conference earlier this week, Yeung highlighted the availability of China's skipper Zheng Zhi.

The midfielder, who played for Charlton last season, is available on loan from his current club Shandong Luneng.

Yeung said that he thought Zhi was "excellent" and "good enough" to play in the Premiership. He also insisted that he would "introduce" Chinese players to Bruce, although he said that he would respect the manager's final decision.

Bruce, who has yet to meet Yeung, has set down an early marker and told him in no uncertain terms to keep his nose out.

He said: "I want to sit down with Mr Yeung as soon as possible to chat about a few things. I haven't had a conversation with him yet as we were on tour in Germany when he came over. And I can well understand that now he has got a stake in the club — and might take us over — we could be looking at Chinese players. That makes sense.

"It doesn't matter to me whether someone is English, Chinese, white, black, green or orange — I can get on and work with anyone as long as we are together for the good of the club.

"But as manager of Birmingham City, I won't be railroaded into anything. Players have to be the right sort. They have to be of the right quality and better than what we have got already."

Yeung's pronouncement comes in the same week that Manchester City's new owner Thaksin Shinawatra revealed that three Thai players would be going on trial at Eastlands.

However, Yeung, who made his money through a gas and electricity company, has not forced any new players on the club and it is unlikely he would do so without approval from the current owners.

But he is keen to assist Bruce despite insisting that he does not want to tread on the manager's toes.

He said: "I want to help the club become stronger. So far we haven't contacted Zheng Zhi but I hope to have one or two players at the club.

"It's not for me but for Steve Bruce to choose the players. I just have the opportunity to introduce the Chinese players to him. I'll respect our coach."

But he is enthusiastic about the impact China could have on the Premiership and even went as far as to suggest that a team of Chinese could one day play in the top flight if they knuckle down and work hard.

"China has some good players, but they don't have the right attitude," he said.

"They stop progressing. They think too highly of themselves. I hope they improve so that I could form a team of 11 Chinese players in the Premier League."