Alex McLeish delays Birmingham contract talks

Alex McLeish is to delay contract talks with several Birmingham players until the summer.

McLeish will make no decisions while the battle for Barclays Premier League survival remains in the balance.

The current deals of Sebastian Larsson, Lee Bowyer, Kevin Phillips, Stuart Parnaby, James McFadden, Martin Jiranek, Stephen Carr and Maik Taylor all expire this summer.

Blues can take up an option on the contracts of McFadden, Jiranek, Carr and Taylor if they so desire.

In addition, the future of loan players Obafemi Martins, David Bentley, Alexander Hleb and Matt Derbyshire has also to be sorted out.

But McLeish is adamant no talks will be held or decisions made until City's fate has been resolved.

McLeish told Press Association Sport: "Everything is on hold in relation to contracts.

"Nothing like that will be getting addressed just now.

"We have got to concentrate on climbing up the Premier League in the remaining seven matches."

Central defender Scott Dann is unlikely to return from his hamstring problem before the end of the season.

Dann is stepping up his rehabilitation work after suffering the setback in January.

But McLeish said: "I don't think Scott will be back this season. I doubt it. We wouldn't risk any player at this stage."