Garry Monk has special praise for this Birmingham City star

Garry Monk lauded ‘fantastic’ Wes Harding after the youngster superbly trod uncharted territory on a difficult afternoon at Blackburn.

The 22-year-old, who has made only one Championship start this season and has never played a senior league match at centre half.

However, did just that for 81 impressive minutes at Ewood Park after coming on for the injured Marc Roberts.

Monk praised the rookie for the way he handled Rovers’ in-form strike duo of Danny Graham and Bradley Dack in extremely testing weather conditions and despite having played all of his senior football at full back.

Asked if Harding had much opportunity to play that role Monk said: “You prepare all of them.

“The key is when you work with a team by the end of it they should know not just their own roles but everyone else’s roles, especially within their units.

“Wes is an intelligent lad, he listens, he works hard and it was quite clear he knew what he had to do.

“It was difficult for him coming on in that situation in a position he hasn’t played first team football in the Championship.

“I thought he was fantastic and that was another good experience for him.

“He has played plenty of football in that position for the U23s but not competitive.

“But I knew he could play that position, he has an idea with that postion and with the work we do your full backs should know what your centre backs are supposed to do and vice versa.

“I didn’t have any trouble putting him on the pitch.”