Friday 3 March 2017 22:38, UK
Leeds travel to Birmingham for a Friday night clash in front of the Sky Sports cameras looking to keep up the pressure on the Sky Bet Championship top three.
Despite Birmingham's poor form since Gianfranco Zola took over, Monk, who is banned from the touchline for his part in the melee at the end of Leeds' loss to Huddersfield last month, is taking nothing for granted.
"That squad has been competing for play-off places over the last couple of seasons," Monk said. "They got a good result against Wolves, that will give them confidence. They have the quality within that squad to do much better than they have.
"They'll be wanting to build on that game, so we're expecting a tough game. That win will give them confidence, so we have to be ready. It would be a mistake not to show the respect that Birmingham need, just because they have had a difficult time."
Team news
Birmingham defender Paul Robinson will be available for Friday's clash with Leeds after the red card he received at Wolves was rescinded on appeal. An FA panel overturned the dismissal which saw the veteran full-back sent off in the 53rd minute following a tussle with Wanderers striker Jon Dadi Bodvarsson.
Further good news for Blues boss Zola has seen the return to training of Lukas Jutkiewicz (hamstring), Jonathan Grounds (groin) and Jacques Maghoma (knee), although the game on Friday night might come too soon for Maghoma as he is short of match fitness. Michael Morrison (groin) and Clayton Donaldson (Achilles) remain out but are nearing a return to training.
Leeds defender Charlie Taylor is back in contention after being sidelined since mid-December due to an Achilles injury. The left-back, who returned to full training last week, will be hoping to play some part at St Andrew's but may have to settle for a place on the bench.
Right-back Lewie Coyle (foot) is still unavailable and fellow defender Tyler Denton is expected to be out for up to six weeks after knee surgery. Head coach Monk, who serves a one-game touchline ban, has no other new injury or suspension problems.
Opta stats
Birmingham are winless in their last three league meetings with Leeds on home soil (D1 L2); this after a run of five consecutive victories between 2002 and 2013.
The Whites won 2-1 on their most recent league trip to St. Andrews' (April 2016), with Stuart Dallas netting the only brace of his Leeds United career.
Zola's joint-biggest win as manager of an English club came against Leeds in November 2012, when his Watford side won 6-1 at Elland Road.
Leeds striker Chris Wood has scored against 20 of the 28 teams he has faced in the Championship at Leeds - but the New Zealand forward has failed in three attempts against Birmingham.
Eunan O'Kane has started 17 league games for Leeds this season, winning 71% (12); without him in the starting XI, Leeds have won just 41% (7).
