Transfer talk

Garry Monk insists Birmingham City’s recruitment process can only begin once Championship safety has been secured - and that rumours linking Blues with players are agent-generated.

Blues go to QPR on Saturday knowing a victory will guarantee they remain in the division - after which the building for next season can begin.

However, when asked about links to players like Pablo Hernandez and Wes Hoolahan, Monk distanced himself - and the club.

“A lot of those things are just natural links that happen all the time,” he said.

“A lot of time at this stage of the season it’s just agents trying to get their players contracts. Clubs are still falling for the same old tricks.

“If I am honest with you I have not been focused on that, I am focused on the team here.

“Yes there is an understanding of what might be needed going forward and having certain discussions but not in depth of targeting players.

“The squad is where it is now and I am focused on giving them everything I have got.

“At the end of the day we are in a situation where we are still fighting relegation. So there is an uncertainty of what league we could be in.

“I can’t give that my full attention, hopefully until as soon as possible so we can move on with that and start that planning.”

Indeed that process will begin almost as soon as safety is secured, if it is. And as yet he claims he has no specifics regarding budgets.

“Pretty much I am sure there will be a phone call sixty seconds after then we are straight into it.

“We are giving everything to this. Yes there are little focuses on other things trying to put more structural stuff in place - that’s a big part of the club of what we need to do.

“When I first joined of course that’s part of the discussions but in terms of clarification - not yet.

“Of course, you have to have an understanding of where that’s going to be but in terms of real detail and going forward with that we haven’t been able to until we make sure we are safe in this league.”

Pick your team

Birmingham City are one win away from Championship safety - and their search takes them to Queen’s Park Rangers this weekend.

Blues could lose and results elsewhere would guarantee their place in next season’s second tier - however, Garry Monk is certainly not thinking in those terms.

The visitors will be looking to take control of their own destiny, avenge the 2-1 home defeat to Ian Holloway’s men and secure a first win at Loftus Road since September 2006.

But which team should the Blues boss pick?

Team news

Monk is without just two players - the long-term absentee Isaac Vassell - and the suspended Harlee Dean.

Craig Gardner is the only other player who picked up a knock - a bruised rib in last weekend’s win against Sheffield United.

The midfielder missed a couple of training sessions but is available this Saturday.

So for Monk it’ll be a case of the right attacking and midfield options and whether to continue with the defence that blunted the Blades.

Brian Dick

Blues (4-4-2): Stockdale; Harding, Morrison, Roberts, Colin; Jota, Davis, Gardner, Maghoma; Adams, Jutkiewicz.

GK/Defence

I think at another point in the season there is a conversation to be had around the goalkeeping situation, with Tomasz Kuszczak desperate to get back in.

However, at such a nervy and psychologically significant juncture it’s about keeping the variables to a minimum.

That means David Stockdale continues, as does Wes Harding who has done more than enough to keep his spot despite misgivings about his inexperience.

Midfield

Jacques Maghoma and Jota stay in - as does David Davis, but I’d still like Blues to have a little more control in the middle of the park.

That means it’s Craig Gardner ahead of Maikel Kieftenbeld and Cheikh Ndoye, though I would be tempted with the latter off the bench if it becomes an aerial battle.

Attack

Lukas Jutkiewicz has been excellent in the last month or so - he has to start. Che Adams is just ahead of Sam Gallagher given his ability to come up with an assist, as he did last time out.

All you need to know about Blues now

Welcomed boost

Birmingham City know they can secure Championship survival on Saturday - and their chances of doing so have received a boost with QPR's star player Massimo Luongo having been ruled out of the game.

Blues head to Loftus Road aiming to put their relegation fears to bed and will be safe if they win or if Barnsley and Burton fail to do so.

The hosts, who sit in mid table and away from danger, have decided to allow Loungo to miss their final two fixtures to ensure he is in prime shape for the World Cup.

Luongo, who will sit out games against Blues and Leeds, will almost certainly be named in Austrialia's squad for this summer's tournament in Russia.

He has been in brilliant form QPR this season, providing six goals and three assists from midfield and is among the highest rated players in the Championship across the campaign statistically.

Holloway told qpr.co.uk: "I can't tell you how proud I'll be to see a Rangers player playing on the biggest stage of them all this summer.

"We've had to think a bit long-term with this one because our priority is his health and well-being ahead of next season.

"With that in mind - and to ensure he's back up-and-running as quickly as possible in pre-season - we've given him a couple of weeks off to rest-up ahead of him meeting up with the Socceroos, which will, in turn, allow us to get him back quicker than normal after the World Cup.

"At the same time, it will allow me to have a look at some of our younger midfielders in the last two matches of the season, so it's a win-win from that point of view."

Luongo posted on Twitter: "After speaking to the manager and club, we have decided to end my season now and for me to recharge in preparation for the WC.

"This season has had its ups and downs but would like to thank all the @QPRFC fans for their continued support.

"See you next season!"

Holloway has also urged supporters to stay off the pitch following Saturday's game.

QPR have been warned by the local authority and police that they could face sanctions if there is a pitch invasion after the clash which is the London club's final home game of the season.

Blues could confirm their safety from relegation and they have sold out their allocation of 1,823 tickets in the School End upper tier.

Home fans are under strict instruction not to attempt to get onto the playing surface at full time with Holloway keen that the players get chance to conduct a lap of appreciation instead.

Holloway told the club website: "It’s an opportunity for us – the management and the squad – to say thanks to the R’s fans for their support this season.

“The fans have been unbelievable in backing us this campaign, in what has been a season of transition, and we want to thank each and every one of them – but we will only be able to do that if the supporters stay off the pitch.

“The police and local authority have made it very clear to us, so I’m hoping common sense prevails and we can all show our appreciation at full-time.”

Heading for a sell-out

Birmingham City are heading towards a sell-out for the final match of the season against Fulham.

With two matches to play, Blues are five points ahead of 22nd placed Barnsley - who have a game in hand - and three ahead of 21st side Bolton Wanderers.

Though Garry Monk would dare suggest it, the win over Sheffield United has at least served to offer Blues some much needed breathing space between themselves and the dreaded relegation places.

So much so, that the victory over the Blades saw their own odds with the bookmakers to drop into League One rocket over the weekend to 14/1.

Monk will rightly have his players focused on the trip to QPR this weekend, and then the welcoming of the high flying Cottagers who haven’t lost a league match since September.

It has the makings of a day in which Bluenoses will be turning out in their numbers, too - and hopefully one that is nowhere near as dramatic as the final days of 2014 and 2017!

Harry lining up a return?

Ex-Birmingham City boss Harry Redknapp has declared an interest in the vacant Ipswich Town manager’s job.

The 71-year-old was sacked by Blues in September and hasn’t managed since.

But speaking to TalkSport this morning, he said: “It’s a good job. I know (the chairman) Marcus (Evans) as well, he’s got my number – I’m here Marcus!

“It is a good club. Ipswich is a real good football club. It’s got a nice feel about it over the years going back to the Cobbolds when Alan (Brazil) was there. It is a good football club.

“But no, I am quite happy at the moment. I’m just off now for a game of golf today and I’m playing again tomorrow.”

Ipswich have been without a manager since ex-Wolves boss Mick McCarthy parted ways with the club earlier in the month.

His six-year spell in charge made him the longest-serving manager in the Championship up until the point he departed.

And although Redknapp is interested, it appears unlikely he will be seriously considered after Evans said yesterday:

“It’s going to be a new era with a new manager. We are going to try something different. It’s going to be calculated but it’s going to be different.”