Birmingham City manager Garry Monk has said that his touchline ban will not affect his side as they prepare to host Rotherham United on Saturday afternoon.

The Blues boss was sent off for his protests after midfielder Maikel Kieftenbeld was given a red card against Brentford on Tuesday night for an off-the-ball incident with Neal Maupay, only for the club's appeal to be upheld.

But Monk, who will not be in the dugout for the weekend's clash at St. Andrew's, has insisted that his absence won't affect his side's performance.

"The rules state that you can speak before, at half-time and after the game (to the players and staff), and during the match I can communicate with the bench, whether that be through radio or whatever it may be", Monk said.

"Everybody is really clear of how we work and what we do and that won't change, and I will have communication with the bench", the boss added.

Monk was fined £2,000 by the Football Association after the incident at Griffin Park, but is set to only be absent for just the one game.

The Verdict

It's good to see Monk in positive spirits despite his ban, and he will desperate that his Blues side can clinch only their second league of the campaign after eleven league outings - Rotherham are still finding their feet in the division and Blues should look to take advantage.