Garry Monk has issued an injury update ahead of this weekend’s home game against Middlesbrough.

Birmingham City head into league action again after Saturday’s FA Cup defeat away at Premier League side West Ham United.

And Monk has issued an update of personnel that were missing for the third-round tie seven days ago.

Monk revealed in quotes taken by the club’s official media, that Kristian Pedersen will be available for the visit of Boro.

Birmingham are also boosted by the return of Jota having missed the trip to London after playing in the New Year’s Day draw away at Sheffield Wednesday.

Marc Roberts, meanwhile, should have a full week’s training under his belt ahead of Nottingham Forest the following weekend.

“We need all those players back to help us, we had eighteen available at West Ham and that was the only eighteen we had fit,” Monk said.

“Kristian Pedersen is available; Jota is back, Marc Roberts should be in full training for the week in the build-up to the Nottingham Forest game.”

Birmingham have not won in their last two games – and have failed to pick up three points on four occasions in their last six matches.

And they will be looking to get back to winning ways at home this weekend.

The verdict

it's positive news for Birmingham that they will have a clutch of players back for the visit of Middlesbrough.

Pedersen returning is a huge boost, as well as the return of Jota who has been one of the Blues’ best players this season and his involvement back in the team will be most welcome for Monk.

The game looks to have come too soon for Roberts, but with his injury problems all but behind him, he will be another welcome addition to the side once he returns next week.

Things look to be progressing well at St. Andrew’s right now.