Birmingham City Football Club News

• Nickname:Blues
• Founded:1875
• Manager:Chris Hughton

• Ground:St Andrew's
• Capacity:30,016

McLeish expects duo to leave

09 Dec 2009 - 10:17:25

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Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish has hinted that veteran duo Kevin Phillips and Lee Carsley could leave St Andrew's in January.

Both men have drifted out of the first-team picture this term and, with McLeish promised up to £40million by the club's new owners to sign new players next month, they could be allowed to move elsewhere.

Former Scotland manager McLeish was quoted in the Daily Mail as saying: "I'd like Lee and Kevin Phillips to stay for the rest of the season.

"I understand that, if there's something they feel strongly about that was better for them, I wouldn't stand in their way.

"They're reasonable people and phenomenal professionals. At the moment, I believe they want to stay."

Thirty-six-year-old Phillips has scored 15 goals in 46 appearances for City having previously starred for Sunderland, Watford, Southampton, Aston Villa and West Brom.

Republic of Ireland international Carsley joined City from Everton 18 months ago after making almost 200 appearances for the Merseyside outfit.

He has appeared in 51 matches for McLeish's side but has not started a game since October.