Steve Bruce admitted that Birmingham were still on the trail of Gary McSheffrey and in talks with Radhi Jaidi after his side ended their pre-season preparations with a 1-1 draw against Nancy.

A Mikael Forssell strike after 15 minutes restored parity after Landry N'Guemo had given the French League Cup winners an early lead.

It was a performance full of promise for Birmingham but Bruce, who struggles to muster any enthusiasm for friendlies, is relishing the prospect of the league fixture with Colchester United next weekend.

However, if all goes according to plan, he could have at least two more additions on board by time the bookmakers favourites kick off.

Having had two bids for Coventry's exciting 23-year-old Gary McSheffrey turned down as well as a warning from Sky Blues boss Micky Adams to 'stop wasting his fax paper,' Bruce is unrelenting.

"We made a renewed bid for him (McSheffrey) on Friday and we are hoping we can do it but he is still Coventry's player. But it is a lot of money," said Bruce, who wouldn't reveal the exact details of the deal.

Armed with the best part of £12 million from the sales of Emile Heskey and Jermaine Pennant, Bruce can afford to enhance his squad still further.

The purchase of Jaidi is a possibility but Bruce will have to part with a sizeable chunk of money to lure the Tunisia international away from the Reebok Stadium.

"Talks are ongoing with Bolton," confirmed Bruce regarding the towering centre-half.

"(Matthew) Upson is obviously still missing until Christmas and I am trying to create the situation of a couple of people for each position if possible.

"The difficulty is getting the right players to come. They have to meet a certain criteria and it is finding if those play-ers are available.

"More importantly will they come?

"Going into the season with three strikers isn't healthy and we have made an enquiry for (Brian) McBride, but that's all it is at present.

"We have also kept in touch with Chris (Sutton) over the summer and we will see what develops," added Bruce, which may come as a surprise to supporters after his change in transfer policy.

"It is ongoing. To be fair to him he has still got a little bit of a niggling groin injury that he wants to sort out, so we will see."

However, Bruce poured cold water on reports linking him with a move for the former Wolves midfielder Paul Ince.

"There is nothing in the story with Paul Ince. Those reports are a load of rubbish," said Bruce dismissively.

Bruce also lamented the loss of Jermaine Pennant to Liverpool but insisted it was sound business sense to cash in on the winger.

Liverpool's fee of £6.75 million has been promised to Bruce and he intends to utilise it fully. "Obviously the money we have got from Jermaine Pennant is burning a hole in my pocket but we have got to be patient," admitted Bruce.

"I didn't want Jermaine to go but we are all realistic enough to know that, once it gets to that level of fee and it is Liverpool, then how can you deny the kid?

"It was a great price in a business sense and we wish the kid all the best.

"It will be quite refreshing on a Sunday morning to wake up and not dread a phone call - bless him," added Bruce with a broad grin referring to Pennant's occasionally colourful lifestyle.

"I can understand the fans' frustration but it is up to me now to make sure that, with the money I have got, I get three or four players to make sure we are really competitive in the division."