McLeish: Places up for grabs

Boss Alex McLeish has warned Garry O'Connor and Kevin Phillips they cannot take their places for granted at Birmingham.

The deadly duo have been paired up front for the last three games on the spin - with O'Connor supplying a dramatic late winner against Crystal Palace on Tuesday - but McLeish has revealed he will not be scared to wield the axe as others wait in the wings for their big chance with the Premier League hopefuls.

"[Against] QPR, O'Connor and Phillips did well. They made the goal together, ran the front line well so I thought I'd throw them in for the Burnley game," said McLeish.

"I did think about tweaking tactics a wee bit, but the same system worked well at Derby and I went with them again.

"They didn't do too well at the weekend, but that was down to service.

"I'm sure there were others thinking 'they didn't do great, it's my turn now'.

"But I've got to be fair. If the next one's dodgy after a good game, I've still got to show a bit of faith and loyalty.

"I will change it from time to time and will explain it to players if they are left out, it's usually tactical and they have to take it on the chin.

"No player likes to be left out but we are fighting a battle in terms of the sensitivity of the situation and in convincing them it's the bigger picture rather than the individual."