Alex McLeish believes new loan signing Nicky Hunt's wealth of Premier League experience will be of huge benefit as the defender begins his spell with Blues.

The 25-year-old, brought in on an emergency one-month deal from Bolton Wanderers, will hopefully be available to go straight into the squad for tonight's home game against Coventry City (kick-off 7.45pm).

McLeish told bcfc.com: "Nicky is a player who has massive Premier League experience. He was almost ever-present under Sam Allardyce but hasn't figured quite as much under Gary Megson.

"We need experienced players in defensive areas and Nicky comes into that category. His presence should bring a bit of confidence to the team and he has good athleticism going forward."

The Blues manager stressed that the capture of Hunt was no slight to 19-year-old Academy product Jared Wilson, who impressed on his first team debut at Queens Park Rangers last week and looks to have a bright future in the game.

McLeish added: "Bringing in Nicky is certainly no discredit to Jared Wilson, who is a very good young player. But to blood a youngster by asking them to play week-in-week-out and then say 'we have got to get back into the Premier League' is a lot to ask of a youngster."