Nobody can deny that Birmingham City are in desperate need of a new prolific goal scorer, and have been for some time.

A disappointing 18^th place finish in the Championship table last season, avoiding relegation by just five points, was made worse by the Blues' dismal goal tally.

Garry Monk’s side found the net just 38 times – the lowest goal tally in the division alongside relegated Burton Albion – which was 22 less goals than 17^th place Hull City.

Youngster Che Adams finished the season as top goal scorer at St Andrew's with nine goals to his name, which isn’t the goal return of a team fighting to make it back to the Premier League.

Signing a striker is paramount for this Birmingham City side, perhaps even more than one, which is why Monk should turn his attention to Alex Jakubiak.

The 21-year-old, who is on the books at Premier League side Watford, spent the latter stages of last season on loan at Scottish Championship side Falkirk, where he netted five goals in 14 appearances.

The former Scotland Under-19 international came through the youth system at Watford and has gone on to make one appearance for the Hornets first team.

In his eight years at Vicarage Road, across youth level and the first team, Jakubiak has enjoyed loan spells at Braintree Town, Oxford United, Dagenham and Redbridge, Fleetwood Town and Wycombe Wanderers, giving the young forward a high level experience across all divisions.

Whilst still only young, and on the brink of the first team at Watford, Jakubiak has featured for Javi Gracia’s side throughout their pre-season this far.

The striker started for Watford in their friendly victory over Stevenage earlier this week, and impressed with his calmness and tenacity in front of goal – something that has been missing from St Andrews for a number of seasons.

While Alex Jakubiak may not be a household name outside the lower leagues, something needs to change for Birmingham if they don’t want to be looming perilously above the relegation zone once again, and the signing of the young forward might just give them that edge this season.