New contract deals on hold - Eck

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 but 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 said: "Everything is on hold in relation to contracts. Nothing like that will be getting addressed just now."

He added: "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."

Source: PA

Source: PA