Boss Alex McLeish may be set to be handed a big transfer kitty in January but he still wants to keep veteran duo Lee Carlsey and Kevin Phillips at Birmingham. The Blues’ new owners will make big money available early in the new year but McLeish has already spoken out insisting he will not spend for the sake of it or risk compromising team spirit. McLeish has seen Carlsey and Phillips linked with moves away from St Andrew’s and while he will not stand in the way, the former Rangers manager wants them to stay for now rather than play out their careers elsewhere. "I would like Lee and Kevin Phillips to stay for the rest of the season," McLeish told the Daily Mail. "I understand that, if there's something they feel strongly about that was better for them, I wouldn't stand in their way. "They are reasonable people and phenomenal professionals. At the moment, I believe they want to stay." McLeish has also confirmed he wants to come to an arrangement with Manchester City over loan keeper Joe Hart whose first-team chances at Eastlands are blocked by Shay Given.