McLeish ready to commit to Blues

Birmimgham manager Alex McLeish is ready to commit his future to the club after insisting his relationship with owner Carson Yeung and his advisors is "excellent."

The Blues boss' advisors have already opened talks over a new deal which are expected continue in the next couple of weeks, but McLeish has made clear his plans to stay on at St Andrew's.

Ahead of tomorrow's visit of Burnley, the manager intimated the best way forward could be a rolling contract with the club.

He said: "Talks have already started a few weeks ago and it is just about me getting my advisors in to see vice-chairman Peter Pannu and then hopefully Carson as well. I'm sure that will happen in the next couple of weeks.

"I'm told it has been said I've agreed a three-year contract. I don't know where that came from. I've not agreed anything yet, but I am willing to agree a contract once we start talking.

"We've never discussed the term but normal contracts over the years have generally been rolling contracts and that tends to suit all parties involved.

"People outside seem to be more anxious about getting it done. The club and I are relaxed about it.

"At the moment I am concentrating on Birmingham, certainly for this season and the next couple of years at least."

McLeish went on to tip his cap to his superiors for their support over the club's Premier League campaign.

He said: "I have to thank the board for their help and support this season in terms of improving the infrastructure and giving me new staff.

"They have helped to create a great atmosphere at the club - and performances on the pitch help that as well."

The Blues boss has been linked with a move to Liverpool, should Rafael Benitez leave Anfield in the summer, after steering Blues to promotion and a top ten spot in the Premier League this season.

McLeish said: "It's funny that over the years in the Premier League, you see a team come up from the Championship doing quite well.

"Then the manager gets linked with other clubs and other moves because your star is reasonably high. But I take all that with a pinch of salt because I know how quickly that can change.

"I've just got to focus on doing what we did this year again next season and even a little bit better."

But McLeish has been hit by the loss off Scott Dann, after the defender was ruled out for the rest of the season with a calf strain.

Dann is out of tomorrow's game and next weekend's trip to Bolton, while Stephen Carr sits out after being hit with a one match ban by the FA for alleged obscene gestures to Villa fans last week.

Burnley midfielder Chris McCann could make a surprise return to the squad against Birmingham, after a season blighted by knee injuries.

It was feared McCann might miss the remainder of the campaign but the 22-year-old returned for a 45-minute run-out with the reserves last night.

Manager Brian Laws will monitor McCann's fitness but will be without defender Clarke Carlisle, who has damaged his ankle.