Birmingham City manager Garry Monk has revealed that he hopes to have winger Jacques Maghoma back fit to face arch-rivals Aston Villa at the end of the month, report the Birmingham Mail. 

The 31-year-old picked up an injury in the Blues' 2-1 win against Reading at St. Andrew's and is expected to be sidelined for a few weeks.

"We got the scan back, it’s not bad news but it’s not good news either," Monk said.

"We are probably looking at the second week in the international break, maybe coming back into training.

"The target is to be fit for the Aston Villa game."

Birmingham have been in terrific form over the last few weeks and currently sit eighth in the Championship table.

They have won their last four straight games against Rotherham United, Stoke City, Reading and Sheffield Wednesday.

Monk has turned the Blues from potential relegation strugglers into promotion contenders and his side are currently on an 11 match unbeaten run in the league.

Derby County are their next opponents on Saturday afternoon and they will undoubtedly be travelling to Pride Park confident of getting a result.

The Verdict 

This is undoubtedly a blow for the Blues, but the spirit that Monk has inspired makes you think that it probably won't affect them that much at all.

It will certainly be a test of his management, however, and how he sets up against the Rams will be very interesting without his reliable winger.

Thoughts? Let us know! 

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