Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish has challenged Quincy Owusu-Abeyie to make the most of his stay at the club and become the star he was tipped to be as a teenager.

The 22-year old Ghanaian secured a 1.5million Euro loan deal until January and McLeish believes he will add quality to his side as they seek a quick return to the Premiership after their relegation last season.

“We have only got two wide men, McSheffrey and Larsson, and Quincy gives us added strength to that department,” McLeish said. “We hope he has an impact and makes a difference in the wide area.

“One of his big assets is that he has pace to burn. There are a lot of people with pace to burn and it is how they use it that is key.”

McLeish has not named the Ghanaian in his squad for the season’s opener against Sheffield United but clearly is confident Quincy will add a lot to his side.

He also revealed he spoke to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who took Quincy from Ajax in 2002, and liked what he heard.

The truth, however, remains that the former Dutch youth international has yet to fulfill his huge potential and McLeish is hoping he can do that at St Andrews.

“When I spoke to him, he sounded like a determined guy who wants to be a star,” McLeish revealed.

“The next step is up to him. He is young and you would like to think he has learned from the past and matured.

“Like a lot of young players the world can be at their feet and then their career can hit a wall. They keep soaring and then plateau and wonder what has happened.

"It has all to do with confidence and the psychological side of things but he has loads in his locker that can take him to another level.”

Quincy has been handed the number 19 shirt at Birmingham and will be known officially at the back of his shirt by his first name.