Birmingham have some exciting youngsters that Garry Monk will be intending to give plenty of opportunities to.

Monk was brought in to avoid relegation and he is close to achieving this with just two games remaining. Therefore, the focus will be on next season and the long-term project Birmingham have in mind.

New signings are likely in order for Monk to make the squad his own.

However, the academy graduates and young players on the periphery of the team are likely to be given opportunities to impress, as well because squad depth is key in the Championship especially for teams aiming for the play-offs and more.

Here are four youngsters that could have breakthrough seasons if they are given consistent game time...

Harding has made seven league appearances this season, but these opportunities only came once Monk became manager. He has impressed because he has kept his place in the team. However, he needs consistent playing time next season to properly break through into the first-team.

He has been used as a right-back due to Birmingham's weakness in that area, but he is versatile because he can also play as a centre-back.

Monk should reward him with a starting position in the right-back role next season so that he can continue his development because he has areas he needs to develop in his game.

Cogley hasn't been as fortunate as Harding, in terms of opportunities, because he has only been used as a substitute since Monk came in. However, he could provide competition for the right-back role with Harding potentially moving into a centre-back role if Monk wanted to accommodate them both into the first-team.

Firstly, he needs to impress Monk, though. Steve Cotterill did opt to use him for one game early in the season, but he didn't impress and needs to make the most of opportunities such as that. Interestingly, in that game he was used as the right centre-back in a back three, so he could potentially benefit from a formation change if Monk opts to do that.

Lubala has only one made one substitute appearance so far this season, which was in the 3-1 loss to Bristol City. However, he is only 20-years-old, and is currently developing with the Under-23s.

He is a gifted attacking midfielder which is a position that the Blues need to improve in, so he could be given opportunities if he impresses on the training pitch. However, it depends on how Monk decides to use Che Adams as well as what formation. Lubala should be given opportunities, though, because he is a potential solution to one of their major problems.

Vassell was doing well in the first-team with a consistent run of games, but a cruciate ligament injury he picked up in October has ruled him out for the majority of the season because he is only just about to return.

Therefore, next season is likely to be when he properly breaks through if he stays injury-free. Monk needs to work out the best way to fit Vassell and Adams in the team because they have strong potential and could work well together with Vassell being the more advanced in terms of position on the pitch.

Birmingham have struggled for goals this season, so he could be the clinical goal threat they need to drive them up the table.