Sullivan seeks clarity on Yeung Birmingham bid

Birmingham City's co-owner David Sullivan wants the future of the club to be resolved by the end of next month after revealing his concerns about Carson Yeung's proposed takeover "dragging on".

Yeung has secured a 29.9 per cent stake in the club and it was thought the Hong Kong businessman would eventually buy out Sullivan and Birmingham's chairman, David Gold.

But Sullivan believes it could be a long drawn-out affair, if it goes ahead at all, and he wants a decision by the end of next month.

Sullivan told the Birmingham Mail: "I have to admit that I am concerned that this is all dragging on too long. It is not in the best interests of the club.

"Mr Yeung is a very nice man, he is very enthusiastic and he clearly likes his football. He has got some great ideas to expand the club and the brand in China and the Far East.

"But I genuinely don't know whether he is going to see it through. When he was here, it seemed as if some days he definitely would, others you weren't so sure.

"I wouldn't think it is a publicity stunt for him because he has spent £15m already and he is doing an audit at the moment, which he needs to do to justify what he's bought to the Hong Kong stock market.

"Different countries have different rules and he might have a different way of doing things, I don't know enough about the Chinese psychology. But, for the sake of the club, it needs to be sorted out. By the end of September we really do need to know."

The Birmingham manager, Steve Bruce, is hoping for financial backing from the board to add two more players before the transfer window closes at the end of this month.

Oldham director Barry Owen has confirmed Lee Hughes will join the club following the former West Bromwich Albion striker's release from prison.

Hughes, 31, was jailed in August 2004 for causing death by dangerous driving and leaving the scene of an accident after he fled when his Mercedes collided with an oncoming car, killing a father of four. Hughes was freed on parole this week, having served half of his six-year sentence, and is expected to sign for Oldham after agreeing a provisional contract with the club in June.

Oldham hope to present Hughes, who scored 90 goals in 210 matches for West Bromwich during two spells at the Hawthorns, at a press conference at Boundary Park next week.

Owen said: "While looking forward to Lee's arrival, we have no intention to glorify matters. Whilst not wanting to patronise anyone, as a family club we are very aware of the victims of the incident involving Lee, and will always be mindful of their feelings and suffering."