Mehdi Nafti was to extend his contract with Birmingham City

The 29-year-old will be a free agent when his deal expires and wants his future resolved before he leaves to play in the African Cup of Nations.

"I want the manager to tell me what he expects from me before I go," he said.

"His reaction has been positive. I played in his first two games and he has been happy with me."

New manager Alex McLeish has only been in charge of the team since the end of November and said he was still bedding in at the club.

"It has all been a bit of a whirlwind since I came here," said McLeish. "Definitely, he is on the list but a wee bit down on my priorities at the moment."

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

"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," Nafti said.

"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.