Mehdi Nafti is likely to emerge as the first player to be axed from Birmingham's squad as Alex McLeish looks to mould a group capable of surviving in the Premier League next season.

It is understood the Tunisia midfielder will not be offered a new contract this summer and will subsequently be allowed to leave on a free transfer.

The 30-year-old, who arrived back in 2005, last played for Blues at the end of November in the 1-1 draw against Wolves at Molineux, with January signing Lee Bowyer the favoured option in the middle of the park during the second half of the campaign alongside Lee Carsley.

The return of Damien Johnson and the emergence of Keith Fahey also limited Nafti's options and effectively left him surplus to requirements at St Andrew's.

Nafti initially held talks with the club's hierarchy back in January in the hope the remainder of his contract could be paid up, but no agreement was reached.