The Sweden international, whose deal expires at the end of the season, has been linked with a £2million move to Stoke when the transfer window opens.

However, McLeish is adamant that he will still be a Blues player at the start of February.

"I wouldn't consider it unless it was a ridiculous offer," he said.

"I would certainly not contemplate it."

McLeish added that a contract offer is imminent, with the intention of getting Larsson to sign before January, when he is allowed to speak to foreign clubs.

"There's an offer being made over the next couple of weeks," he added.

"We want Seb to stay, no doubt about it, but at the end of the day it'll be up to the player himself."

Birmingham host Newcastle on Saturday, the last match before a gruelling Christmas schedule and McLeish feels clubs of the Blues' size would benefit from a winter break.

"The weather's so unpredictable that you could have it in February, but I think a break would be nice just in terms of breaking up the season for players to recharge their batteries," he said.

"With this schedule coming up, we're risking burning out one or two of the players."

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has a welcome selection headache at the end of his first full week in charge.

The 49-year-old has keeper Steve Harper back from injury and central defenders Fabricio Coloccini and Mike Williamson available after suspension, and must decide whether or not to include them against Birmingham.

Tim Krul, Steven Taylor and Sol Campbell all started last weekend's 3-1 victory over Liverpool, and while Campbell is a doubt after reporting in ill, Pardew has difficult choices to make.

He said: "That's what I get paid for. In my mind, I know what the team is for Saturday and I am working towards that.

"Of course, you want competition in all areas and looking at the squad, I would like that level of competition in all areas, which I don't think we have.

"Particularly at centre-half, we are strong this year and that's very, very good in the Premier League when you are in your first year and you are looking to stabilise. We are blessed on that front."

Wigan would certainly benefit from such a break at the moment as they prepare for the visit of Aston Villa with up to eight players set to miss out.

Honduras pair Maynor Figueroa and Hendry Thomas are both suspended while Franco Di Santo, Emmerson Boyce, James McCarthy and Victor Moses are injured.

Tom Cleverley (rib) and captain Gary Caldwell (thigh) are doubtful, but despite that boss Roberto Martinez believes his squad can cope as they aim to climb out of the drop zone.

"This is the biggest amount of players we have had missing over the last two seasons but what is pleasing is that, looking at the rest of the squad, we are in a position where I am really excited about how we can perform," Martinez said.

Bolton boss Owen Coyle says it is vital his players do not let their good form go to their heads as they travel to Sunderland for a lunchtime kick-off.

Coyle's side sit sixth in the table after a 2-1 win over derby rivals Blackburn last weekend.

"I said to the players enjoy that moment (after the Blackburn win), but they knew come Monday morning when they stepped onto that training ground, that was finished with and we had a massive game to prepare for against Sunderland, which we have done," Coyle said.

Blackburn will look to put a week of controversy behind them when they host West Ham, after Sam Allardyce was sacked following the loss to Bolton.

Rovers will be under the temporary stewardship of Steve Kean who has been told by the club's new owners that the job is his to lose.

And Kean will be favoured to begin with a win against a Hammers outfit that are yet to win in eight away league games this season, scoring just four goals in the process.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis is convinced his players will dig deep at Arsenal following last weekend's shock 1-0 home loss to Blackpool that ended a run of five games without defeat.

"The most important thing is to get the players focused again because we had been on a smashing run," said Pulis.

"But we're playing one of the best teams in Europe, and the only side in the Premier League still in with a chance of winning everything.

"I saw their game at Manchester United on Monday and they had Fabregas, Van Persie, Denilson and Bendtner on the bench, which shows what kind of squad they've got.

"So we know it's going to be a tough game for us, but whatever happens the players will have a go, they'll give it their best shot."