Nafti to meet with McLeish and thrash out his future at St Andrew's

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The Tunisia international, who will become a free agent next summer, has already spoken on the issue with new Blues boss Alex McLeish.

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The 29-year-old will be away on African Nations Cup duty with his country from next month and in an ideal world would like to resolve matters sooner rather than later.

Nafti said: "I want to make sure my future is sorted out because I'm in the last year of my contract. I went to the manager to find out what he expects from me before I go to Africa.

New deal or no deal? Nafti will meet with Alex McLeish

"I just want to know about my future at the club. It's important for my own mind to know before I go away so we will have to see.

"The reaction from the manager has been positive. I played in his first two games before being suspended for Saturday's game with Reading and he has been happy with me."

Veteran goalkeeper Maik Taylor is also out of contract next summer and McLeish confirmed: "They (talks with Nafti and Taylor) will come but it has all been a bit of a whirlwind since I came here.

"Definitely, they are on the list but a wee bit down it at the moment."

Nafti is ready to fight for his place if McLeish adds to his midfield department during the January transfer window.

He said: "The biggest fight for me was two years ago when I suffered a bad knee injury. Nothing that can happen to me will be worse than that.

"I know when I come back (from the Nations Cup) it's not going to be easy for me but I will fight for my place and my only wish is for the team to win games while I am away."

Meanwhile, Birmingham skipper Liam Ridgewell will be suspended for next Saturday's bottom six encounter with Bolton at the Reebok Stadium.

The central defender collected his fifth yellow card of the campaign during the weekend draw with Reading and will have to serve a one-match ban.