Birmingham City are on the brink of breaking a record that has stood for over 100 years.

If they avoid defeat to Stoke City, Brum will extend their unbeaten run to 11 games, equalling a club record which goes back to 1907.

McLeish picked the same side for the seventh game running to face the leaders Chelsea.

His decision to give them Christmas Day off proved to be inspirational.

McLeish said: "If you said we were going to go on a 10-match unbeaten run, I'd have bitten your hand off.

"The players deserve the utmost credit. I've run out of superlatives for these guys.

"We'll have to see what they are like before Stoke.

"We will go for a walk on the morning of the Stoke game. They will be very stiff and sore.

"I'll have to dust them down and see how they are. Stoke are a strong team and we have players still developing."