Birmingham City manager Garry Monk has gushed over the 'undeniable quality' of Pablo Hernandez ahead of Leeds United's trip to St Andrew’s this weekend.
Monk has a long history with the majestic Spaniard, after playing alongside him for Swansea City between 2012 and 2014. The former Whites boss then signed the 33-year-old during his one-year stint as manager at Elland Road in 2016.
The pair will once again reunite on Saturday as Leeds look to bolster their automatic promotion hopes with three points against their former boss.
The playmaker has been in superb form for Leeds this season, registering 12 goals and 11 assists, the joint-highest in the division.
United hold a two-point lead over Sheffield United as they head to the Midlands, with the Blades facing a tricky test away at Preston North End.
Speaking to BirminghamLive during his pre-match press conference, Monk highlighted Hernandez’s ability as the Blues bid to end a run of five straight defeats.
"Pablo's quality is undeniable," he said. "I brought him in to Leeds and we were very lucky to have him at Leeds, obviously we had a relationship with Pablo previous to that and that was a factor in him coming.
"Pablo is obviously one of the best players in the league, especially offensively. He is a quality above in this league, that's why I brought him to Leeds.
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"We are hoping he doesn't contribute as well in this game, I will have a good chat with him afterwards - but hopefully he doesn't perform as well as he has done.
"But Leeds also have other qualities, they have quite a few players there who have the quality to play at a higher level and they are showing that this season.”
Birmingham are without a win at home in four league matches and need the points to stave off any lingering fears of relegation.
They head into this fixture 18 in the table, five points above the bottom three, with seven games remaining.
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