McLeish optimistic veteran goalkeeper Taylor will sign a new Blues contract

Taylor's current deal expires at the end of the month but McLeish wants the 36-year-old to stay at St Andrews and help the club try to regain their Barclays Premier League status at the first attempt.

Northern Ireland's number one joined Birmingham from Fulham five years ago after an initial loan spell.

New contract: Maik Taylor is in talks with Birmingham about a new two-year deal

McLeish told PA Sport: "I've not got any news in terms of Maik Taylor putting pen to paper, but I believe in negotiations we are pretty close.

"Maik is as fit as a fiddle, finished the season very strongly. Dave Watson, our fitness coach, works really hard with the goalkeepers and Maik is in a tremendous state physically for his age.

"Goalkeepers can go on to the 40 mark. Big Maik is a superb specimen. I'm hoping he signs on the dotted line. If he decides not to, then I've got to cast the net and look for another keeper."

McLeish admits he may have to sell one of his leading players to help finance his plans to rebuild the team for an assault on the Coca-Cola Championship.

But that will not include Swedish midfielder Sebastian Larsson whom he wants to stay.

The former Scotland boss said: "I'll need to make a sacrifice somewhere along the line if I'm going to create my own team.

"Team building doesn't happen overnight. It takes a bit of time and not only the playing staff but also the support staff as well.

"I've not heard anything from any of the guys as regards leaving the club but somewhere along the line we will make that sacrifice - but only if the deal suits us and allows us to go forward.

"But I'd like to keep Seb (Larsson), of course. He was tremendous for us after I came here."