Championship news: Garry Monk's admission about former Leeds and Birmingham assistant Pep Clotet

Sheffield Wednesday boss Garry Monk worked with Pep Clotet at Swansea, Leeds and Birmingham.

Clotet, who is now the manager at Birmingham, worked under Monk at Swansea and Leeds before replacing the former defender at St Andrew’s in the summer.

Monk will face his former protege when his Owls side host Birmingham on Wednesday evening, yet their relationship has turned sour.

"You live and learn. Unfortunately, I didn't listen to a lot of people in football circles who warned me about him," Monk told BBC Radio Sheffield. "That's an error of judgement from myself.

"I don't speak with him. What's most important to me when I'm assembling a staff is to give them an opportunity and show them complete trust, and that they repay that trust.

"Sadly not everyone has that character. Some choose to pursue their own opportunities in the worst possible way.”

Barnsley injury blow

Elsewhere, Barnsley defender Aapo Halme has been ruled out of the Tykes’ crucial Championship meeting against Middlesbrough on Wednesday.

The 21-year-old, who has been a regular for Barnsley this season, sustained a face injury during his side’s 3-2 defeat to Blackburn at the weekend.

"Aapo is not fit for the game, but we hope he can play on Saturday against Hull,” said new Barnsley boss Gerhard Struber.

“He has problems with his nose and also the head and he cannot play.”

On Boro, Struber added: "I saw Middlesbrough live against Hull and this is a side with a clear counter-attacking plan with very, very good strikers.

"We want a very good performance on and off the ball. We need focus for 90 minutes in all situations.”

Birmingham midfielder to retire

Finally, Birmingham midfielder Craig Gardner has announced he will retire at the end of the season to take on a player-coach role at his boyhood club.

The 33-year-old said: "To be given this opportunity is a privilege.

"When you are a kid you dream about becoming a footballer. To play for the team you support, in the Premier League, win a cup, finish your footballing career here and then to start a new chapter as a coach, I couldn't have wished for more."