Birmingham City manager Garry Monk has given a fitness update for his side ahead of this weekend’s huge clash with local rivals Aston Villa.

The main headline was that left-back Maxime Colin will be missing after limping out of the Blues 2-0 defeat to Hull City last weekend, whilst Charlie Lakin and Marc Roberts remain sidelined.

"Maxime will be out,” Monk revealed, according to the club’s official Twitter account.

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“He came off on Saturday with a hamstring injury, we are looking for him to return around the international break, it is a big blow for us, but it is what it is.

“Charlie and Marc are back in training but won't be available."

The previous meeting between the sides this season finished in a 4-2 win for Villa in a thoroughly entertaining display.

But months later, it is the Blues who sit higher in the table, currently three places better off in eighth place as both sides look to break into the play-offs.

A win for Smith’s side, however, will see them leapfrog their neighbours and potentially close the gap on the top-six to just three points.

The verdict

This is a significant loss.

Colin has been a figure of consistency and reliability at the back for the Blues playing every minute of the season until that point.

It will be a boost for Villa, that’s for sure.