Despite Birmingham's vice-chairman Peter Pannu's insistence that a new deal for boss Alex McLeish is imminent, rumours persist suggesting talks are about to break down.

City striker Kevin Phillips hopes that is not the case. He told Sky Sports News: "That's a board situation, but from a player point of view, I know that every player at the club wants the manager to stay.

"He is a fantastic manager and he has worked miracles here, getting us out of the Championship, helping us finish ninth in the Premiership in our first season, help us get off to the fantastic start which we have done this season and the signings we have made. Everything is in place.

"We all know that contracts take a while to sort out, but I'm sure that over the next week or so the gaffer will have it sorted. The manager has done a fantastic job and I'm sure he will get it sorted."