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Garry Monk isn’t planning on utilising the returning Greg Stewart after Birmingham City triggered the striker’s recall clause from his loan spell at Kilmarnock.

Monk, speaking after watching Blues fall to Middlesbrough at St Andrew’s on Saturday, revealed that the decision to bring the Scot back from his stint with Killie was one made by the club hierarchy.

The Blues boss has reiterated his intentions on a number of occasions to work with the squad that he has, and that means the likes of Stewart, David Stockdale, Jonathan Grounds and Tomasz Kuszczak are free to sort themselves out with football elsewhere.

Stewart, who is now into the last six months of his Blues deal having been brought in by Gary Rowett in the summer of 2016, has scored eight goals in 16 appearances for Killie this term and enjoyed his loan spell at Aberdeen last term.

Watch: Stewart displays his talent in pre-season clash with Kiddy

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Asked about the future of Stewart and the potential of a Blues life-line, Monk confirmed his efforts would continue to be focused on the current group.

“That’s a call from the club. My squad is the squad and I am focused on the players I have got. That side of it the club is dealing with,” Monk responded.

“It’s not part of my thinking. It’s up to the club what they want to do with that situation, my job is to focus on the squad I have and to support them.”

Steve Clarke, the Kilmarnock manager, had previously made clear his desire to bring Stewart to Rugby Park on a permanent basis.

Clarke, the former West Brom and Reading manager, was asked back in December of what might happen with Stewart in the winter window - and at the time, Killie had heard nothing from Blues.

“Greg’s happy and we’re happy,” Clarke said last month.

“I don’t think Birmingham want him back as far as I know. They’ve certainly given us no indication they want him back down south.

“His contract is up in the summer, so he’s in a great position. He’s done really well for himself, he’s done well for Kilmarnock and we’re delighted with him. We’re looking forward to having him for the rest of the season.

“If it’s [permanent deal] something we could do then we’d do it - but Greg holds all the aces.

“It’s not about persuading him to stay. People look too far ahead sometimes in football.

“He’s enjoying himself and his football here. He’s found a nice place to come back and find his form.

“He’s doing great. We’re happy with him and I know he’s happy with us. Short-term that’s the best solution for everybody.”