Asante and Deaman head out on loan

Birmingham City today loaned out Akwasi Asante and Jack Deaman.

Striker Asante, who has just returned from a long injury lay-off, has joined Shrewsbury Town to aid their League One relegation battle.

Defender Deaman has gone to Cheltenham Town, who are pushing for promotion from League Two.

Asante would have had more involvement in Blues first team squad this season had he not injured his hamstring late last year.

He has played in Blues last two under-21/development side games, scoring against Coventry City last week.

Deaman has also been a regular in the reserve side and his versatility - he can play right-back or centre-half - is viewed as an asset by Robins manager Mark Yates.

Blues manager Lee Clark made it clear before the Football League loan window shut that he would not be bringing anyone in to St Andrew's.

Blues have Jack Butland, Paul Caddis, Ravel Morrison, Shane Ferguson and Wes Thomas on loan. And last week they added Olly Lee from Barnet on loan.

Only give loaned players (domestic) are allowed in a matchday 18.

Clark said: "There's only players going out because I’ve got five (senior) loan players already who at this moment in time are in my starting eleven and if not, right on the fringes of the starting eleven. So I’ve got no more room for any more."