Birmingham City remain in the relegation zone but there is optimism around St. Andrew’s after Garry Monk secured his first win as manager last time out.

The former Leeds boss had a very tough opening two games against Middlesbrough and Cardiff, which Blues lost, but they then resoundingly beat Hull 3-0.

With several winnable games coming up, fans will hope they can go on a positive run and get out of trouble in the next few weeks. Then, Monk can concentrate on building for next season.

Expectations at the club were that they would be competing for the top six this season but it hasn’t happened, with several talented players struggling for form under previous management.

However, Monk will recognise he has some very good players available to him even if new additions will be needed in the summer.

Here we look at five players who could arrive at Birmingham to transform them into promotion contenders…

Monk is a massive fan of the Swansea player and took him to Elland Road last season, where Bartley was captain and had a fantastic season.

Blues have a few decent options at centre-back but Bartley is an upgrade and would surely relish the chance to play regular football under Monk again.

Left-back is a real problem position for Blues, with no natural left-back available to Monk since Jonathan Grounds suffered a season-ending injury.

Whilst Maxime Colin has done well filling in for the former Boro man, he is better on his normal flank.

Therefore, a left-back is a priority and Husband could be a shrewd signing. He has struggled to get in at Norwich due to the form of youngster Jamal Lewis and should be allowed to leave in the summer.

Great going forward and solid defensively, he could solve a big problem for Blues.

This is an ambitious move but they could pull it off.

Monk must’ve been pleased with the long-term ambition of the board to join Blues and they did throw a lot of money at it in the summer, even if it didn’t work.

If Monk gets a similar backing, he should go for Woods. The deep-lying playmaker is exactly the sort of player that the West Midlands side are missing currently and exactly what Monk looks for in a player.

He has great technique and a superb passing range and would be the man to set the tempo for the new-look Blues side.

Another who the manager knows very well.

The Spaniard is out of contract in the summer at Leeds and would be a great addition, although they’ll have to act quickly with the Yorkshire side looking to tie the 32-year old down for next season.

Hernandez still has that bit of magic in the final third, with an eye for a pass and great vision, something that is lacking in the current Blues squad.

A chance to join up with Monk again could appeal to the player.

Even though he encourages his sides to play football, Monk often plays with a striker who is good with their back to goal.

He had Chris Wood at Leeds, the powerful Britt Assombalonga at Boro and has started with Lukas Jutkiewicz in recent weeks, although the ex-Burnley man doesn’t score enough goals.

Therefore, a striker will be a priority in the summer and one man who fits the bill is Ulloa.

A loan move to Brighton hasn’t really worked and he doesn’t get a chance at Leicester so a move to the Championship seems inevitable, where he can still cut it.

There will be a lot of interest ad Blues need to be one of those clubs after him.