The two on-loan players have helped Birmingham survive in the Championship and Monk is a big fan of how they’ve fared.
Birmingham City manager Garry Monk has confirmed that he will look into the possibility of Gary Gardner and Connor Mahoney remaining at St Andrew’s next season.
The two players, who have played a key role in the Blues’ successful Championship relegation battle, are on loan and due to return to Aston Villa and Bournemouth respectively in the summer.
Gardner has made 40 Championship appearances for Birmingham, starting 38 of those, while Mahoney has played 30 times for the club, scoring twice and registering four assists, according to Transfermarkt.
Last week, the West Midlanders secured their place in the second tier after winning 3-1 at Rotherham United, a superb feat giving their nine-point deduction combined with a torrid run of form last month which caused a lot of concern.
With Birmingham’s Championship future secure for next season, Monk admits he is now able to focus on player recruitment and, in conversation with the official club website, he spoke of how he wished to retain the duo’s services.
Monk admitted he had not yet spoken to them but went on to say: “In terms of being successful in their loan spells, they have contributed hugely to what we have done this year. There is still a discussion with the players to be had and also a discussion with their parent clubs.
“I have always found it a benefit if players have worked under you for that year. To have the possibility of maybe another year with them or whatever situation we can work it to, we will look to do that. It’s not down that line yet but if the possibility is there from a personal point of view, I would like to do it.”
Gardner has one year left on his contract at Aston Villa, while Mahoney is tied to Bournemouth until 2021.
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