It has bene a very tough summer for Garry Monk who has been prevented from adding to his squad due to the club's transfer embargo.

Blues have signed left-back Kristian Pedersen from Union Berlin for £2.2m but he cannot be registered with the EFL following the embargo.

As well as that, it has caused Monk to miss out on key targets, such as Bartosz Bialkowski, and will leave the manager concerned ahead of the new season which begins next week.

Monk transformed Blues after taking over, improving their performances significantly and getting better results which ultimately saw them survive on the final day.

Here we look at three issues the former Leeds boss will have to resolve before the campaign begins...

There's nothing Monk can do about the transfer embargo but he has revealed he is hopeful it will be lifted soon.

Therefore, he needs to make sure everything is ready to go in terms of lining up transfers as they're sure to be in a race against time.

Monk made no secret of his desire to move on both Tomasz Kuszczak and David Stockdale but he is likely going to have them both at St. Andrew's ahead of the start of the season.

Stockdale is sure to start and Monk will need to show support to the player, improve his confidence and place his trust in him despite what has gone on.

Even without additions, Blues have a potentially exciting attack but Monk needs to find the right formula.

He has to try and fit Che Adams and Jota in the team in a way that can allow them to flourish, whilst Jacques Maghoma should start too.

The quality is there, but they need to be given freedom to express themselves against the Canaries.