Paul Ince, Chris Hughton, Gianfranco Zola 'considered' for Birmingham

Paul Ince is being lined up as a potential replacement for Alex McLeish at Birmingham.

The Guardian says that the club is also considering ex-Newcastle boss Chris Hughton; Gianfranco Zola, formerly of West Ham; and ex-Notts Forest manager Billy Davies.

Ince - a former England captain - agreed to step down from the top job at Notts County in April after losing nine games in a row.

Birmingham are without a manager after McLeish resigned suddenly a week ago to join rivals Aston Villa.