VAUGHAN EXIT DUE TO GOAL DROUGHT AT BLUES
BIRMINGHAM manager Gary Rowett says he had no option but to release a misfiring James Vaughan after the striker completed a move to League One Bury.
The 28-year-old Birmingham-born player had his contract terminated by mutual consent and, while Rowett let him go with his best wishes, he admitted Vaughan’s exit was of his own doing.
Despite playing 16 times for the Blues last term, the former England Under-21 international could not find the net, and this was the reason Rowett deemed he would never make the grade at St Andrews.
“He just simply didn’t score goals,” Rowett said. “I wish Vaughany all the best moving forward. He worked really hard for me as a player. He showed excellent commitment.
“We thought he was worth a gamble in terms of his allegiance to the club and a need to get himself going again.
“The no-goals really was the big thing. We felt we have to try and move on and get some goals into the team somehow.
“I sat down with him. He said he wanted to play. I told him I didn’t feel I could give him that opportunity this season, so we had to do what was best for all parties.”
Rowett can still call on Clayton Donaldson, Che Adams, Jack Storer or Nicolai Brock-Madsen up front, but he is adamant there will be more additions before the transfer window shuts.
He added: “We might have to let two or three players out to get one player in. Such is the type of player I think we need.
“We still have to work hard. I still think there might be one or two possible surprises. We might even have to sacrifice a player to get who we want.
“That’s something I will have to look at because unfortunately I can’t spend £10m on a ready-made instant success for something we see as a problem.”