Birmingham City manager Garry Monk will be encouraged by the news that midfielder Maikel Kieftenbeld has told Voetbal International, he will head back to the Netherlands one day but for the time being he wants to remain in England.

Kieftenbeld, 28, has been a regular in Monk’s side this season, starting 12 of the Blues' league games, the Dutchman having made over 130 appearances for the Blues since joining the club in 2015.

So is Kieftenbeld staying in England good news for Birmingham?

We discuss.....

Alfie Burns

It’s great news for Garry Monk.

Kieftenbeld has been brilliant so far this season at St Andrew’s, with his work in midfield key to Blues’ good start.

Keeping players like him on board long-term is going to be so important for Birmingham rebuilding under Monk.

Jay Taylor

It’s a huge boost.

Maikel Kieftenbeld has been one of the more solid performers in Birmingham’s side since his arrival and revealing he would like to stay is a big statement.

The Dutchman’s contract runs out in the summer of 2020 and the club should look to either invoke an extra year or look to give him longer terms.

Signing the defender on a new long-term deal would be a move that is needed sooner rather than later.

George Dagless

Of course.

Eventually, he has said he'll go back to the Netherlands but not yet.

Blues have a good chance of keeping him which is a big boost because he is a fine player at what he does.