Though a win at Reading on Saturday brought an end to a reasonably barren spell for Birmingham City, it more than likely comes too little too late in the race to finish in the playoffs.

The Blues are, of course, still an outside bet to catch Sheffield Wednesday in 6th, though it is not the most likely of outcomes all things considered.

Gary Rowett has done an exceptional job in England's second city, though his record in the transfer market isn't all that great. Ryan Shotton impressed in Berkshire over the weekend, though other January arrivals have done little to justify their place in the squad.

As a result, perhaps the former Burton Albion coach can dip into the loan market in order to improve upon his fortunes this time round.

A coach who excels on the training ground, he would also represent the ideal candidate for big clubs to farm their emerging talent out to in order to land first-team experience.

One club with an abundance of such talent is Chelsea, who infamously have 33 players on their books currently lent out to other sides across the globe.

Surely, the Blues can capitalise on that as they bid for a more concrete promotion push next term?

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Click the image to see who we here at FLW think they should target.

Nathan should go on loan to a Championship club

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Dominic Solanke

Solanke

Dominic Solanke is an exceptionally gifted young English forward who needs all the experience he can get. Unlikely to get that at Stamford Bridge, the 19-year old would be a wonderful addition to the ranks at St. Andrew's.

We've seen what effect Patrick Bamford had on the English second tier when he made the move, perhaps the man currently on loan at Vitesse Arnhem can replicate the sort of form shown by the 22-year old now on loan at Norwich.

A thrillingly incisive attacker, the England under-21 international would be a great signing.

Isaiah Brown

Brown

Another plying his trade at feeder club Vitesse, Isaiah Brown is a highly rated burgeoning midfield talent.

The 19-year old was a major part of the Blues' success in youth levels and impressed Jose Mourinho enough to afford him a Premier League debut against former club West Bromwich Albion. No easy feat for a young player.

Able to drift across the frontline, Brown would be able to find pockets of space that seem to lay between heartbeats at Championship level, wreaking havoc all over the park.

Tomas Kalas

Liverpool v Chelsea - Premier League

A proper partner for Michael Morrison has been needed for a number of seasons now, and while Ryan Shotton did impress, a move for Tomas Kalas would be a huge upgrade.

Well versed in the arts of the Championship, the man currently on loan with Middlesbrough would shore up the backline and form a formidable partnership with Morrison.

Perhaps one of the most fearsome in the league.

Should he again become available - the Blues should surely enquire.

Nathan Ake

Ake

Nathan Ake is probably too good to be playing in the Championship, though that should not put off Birmingham from making a move.

On loan at Watford this season, the left-back would be a fine addition to the ranks in Birmingham and add both sound defensive work as well as a reasonable amount of attacking enterprise.

Too often, modern day full-backs tend to fly forward with aplomb and forget their duties heading back towards their own goal. Not the Dutchman.

Composed on the ball and able to read the game almost intuitively, his experiences in Hertfordshire this season will make him almost unplayable in the second tier.

Lucas Piazon

Lucas Piazonm

While he's barely pulling up any trees while on loan at Reading, a move for Brazilian attacker Lucas Piazon could represent a good option for Rowett moving forward.

With a solid midfield around him, affording the 23-year old a free role could see exactly the sort of ingenuity the Blues have lacked at their very worst season. Perhaps he could even have a similar sort of effect than that of Adel Taarabt's for Queens Park Rangers all those years ago.