Birmingham City manager Gary Rowett has insisted that sought-after winger Demarai Gray remains a key part of his plans for the club.

The 19-year-old has been linked with a £4.7m move to Leicester City in recent days but Rowett has said that he will travel with the squad as usual for the Championship game with MK Dons this weekend.

The Blues boss maintains that he is not overly concerned with the speculation, and says that the teenager is enjoying life at St Andrew's.

Speaking to the club's official website, Rowett said: "The first minute Dimmy set foot on a pitch with Birmingham City there was always going to be speculation because he is a real talent.

"We know that speculation is going to get hotter and hotter as the transfer window closes. But at the moment Demarai has always said the same to me. He is happy here, he signed a new contract in the summer, and he is enjoying his football.

"I don't think anyone can say definitively that he is never going to move on but at the moment that is the conversation I have had with him. He will be in the team on Saturday - if I pick him, it depends how he trains."

Gray was one of the stars of City's season after breaking into the first team a year ago, scoring six goals in 41 Championship games last campaign.