Birmingham City were relegated from the Premier League at the end of the 2010-11 season, but Gary Rowett's side are challenging for a place in the play-offs, sitting just two points outside the top six as they push to get back in the top flight.

The Blues are unbeaten in their last four league outings, while losing just one in eight, making the team one of the in-form sides in the division.

Despite being in the promotion race, Birmingham have lost one of their highest-rated players in this transfer window, selling Demarai Gray to Leicester City.

The manager, who has just signed a contract extension, was able to secure a number of players on free transfers in the summer, including Jacques Maghoma, Tomasz Kuszczak and Shane Lowry.

Birmingham have been quiet so far this month though, with only teenage midfielder Luke Maxwell joining from Kidderminster Harriers and Will Buckley moving on loan from Sunderland.

FootballLeagueWorld looks at THREE free agents that could be heading to St Andrew's this month.......

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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE 3 FREE AGENTS!

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Niko Kranjcar

Niko Kranjcar

Former Tottenham and Portsmouth midfielder Niko Kranjcar hasn't been without a club long, having only left Dynamo Kiev on January 14 after seeing little action with the Croatian side this season.

The 31-year-old has spent the majority of his career in England, mainly playing under Harry Redknapp, so the chance to return to a familiar league where he has been successful could appeal to Kranjcar.

The former Croatia international spent the last two seasons on loan with QPR, helping the Hoops secure promotion through the playoffs in the 2013-14 campaign before making 22 Premier League appearances last term.

Kranjcar is known for his excellent free kicks, long-range shooting and ability to create chances for his teammates, which could be useful for a side that have scored fewer goals than all but one of the sides above them in the table.

Jerome Thomas

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Gary Rowett is reportedly keen to bring in players with Premier League experience during this transfer window, and former West Brom and Crystal Palace winger Jerome Thomas has spent the majority of his career in the top flight.

The 32-year-old has been without a club since coming to the end of his contract with Palace last summer, before turning down a player-coach role with Scottish side Hearts.

Thomas has never been a prolific goalscorer, but with over 200 appearances in the Premier League and Championship, the former England youth international has the kind of experience that could help Birmingham clinch a spot in the playoffs.

Thomas isn't a direct replacement for Gray, but he'd certainly provide some extra cover on the wing, and has been part of a promotion-winning side during his spell with the Baggies.

Marco Motta

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Former Roma and Juventus defender Marco Motta was released by Watford after they secured promotion to the Premier League last summer, but has been heavily linked with a return to England this month.

The 29-year-old was thought to be in advanced talks with QPR last week, but the Hoops are yet to complete the deal, suggesting there's still time for another club to hijack the move.

Birmingham have conceded more goals than some of the sides around them in the table so far this season, with Sheffield Wednesday and Ipswich Town the only sides above them to have let in more, so a defender with recent Championship experience would certainly be an asset.

The one-time Italian international can also play in midfield and is a capable crosser of the ball, so he could also fill some of the void left by Gray's exit if Rowett considered using him in a more attacking role.

Birmingham fans...What do you make of these players? Which free agents would you like to see at St Andrew's this season? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!