McLeish fears Hart exit

Blues boss refuses to discuss Phillips future

Last updated: 18th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

McLeish fears Hart exit

Hart: Has excelled at St Andrews

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Birmingham manager Alex McLeish fears that his hopes of keeping Joe Hart for a second campaign will be scuppered if Manchester City qualify for the UEFA Champions League.

Hart has pushed himself into England contention ahead of the World Cup after an excellent season-long loan at St Andrews and McLeish is eager to extend the arrangement into 2010/11.

The Birmingham boss is planning talks with Hart and his representatives within the month, but the Scot acknowledges that City manager Roberto Mancini may not agree to any deal if his side secure the Premier League's sought-after fourth place.

McLeish said: "We do intend to speak to Joe, his father and his agent in the coming weeks.

"I believe the club have made contact with Manchester City to try to get a meeting to see where they see Joe's future next season.

Last-minute job

"It is a massive position for us and that is why I would like to get City's nod of approval for Joe to come again next season so we know what we are doing.

"I do need to make my plans for next season. If it looks like it's going to be a last-minute job and the answer will be a positive, then we'll do that, but it would be nice to know what City's thoughts are.

"I guess Roberto Mancini and his staff have got to have a good think about it as well. Who knows, if they are in the Champions League next season then they might feel they need two top-class keepers."

McLeish insists he will make no decision on any of Birmingham's out-of-contract players, including veteran striker Kevin Phillips, until the end of the season.

He said: "I'm not going to discuss anyone's future until the end of the season. It is important the players focus and give me everything they have got every day in training and save their talking for Saturday afternoons.

"Kevin Phillips is a hugely influential player who has scored some vital goals for us, but nothing will be discussed on contracts and futures until May, and the players will be the first to know."