STRUGGLING MONK PRAYING FOR FIRST WIN

GARRY MONK’S woes at Birmingham continue to pile up amid a civil war behind the scenes at St Andrew’s.

The Blues boss (left) has endured a nightmare summer after they were hit with a transfer embargo for breaking Financial Fair Play rules.

It saw plans shelved to give Monk a substantial transfer kitty after he was recruited in March by Far East owners Trillion Trophy Asia. Now the breach of FFP rules has caused a huge split at the club, where embattled CEO Xuandong Ren continues to call the shots.

His stormy reign has seen chief financial officer Roger Lloyd suspended and two key senior administrative staff resign – long-serving club secretary Julia Shelton and financial controller Gary Moore.

Mirror Sport also understands another loyal member of staff Jo Allsopp, the HR director, has asked to leave, too.

Monk’s men are yet to win this season and he admitted: “It’s a very difficult situation for us, it’s not easy.

“But you get on with it and have to abide by it. I totally understand the reasons why FFP is there.

“It’s the same attitude as not having the points we deserve so far, there is no whingeing about it, we keep moving forward.”

Glenn Loosens and Adam Matthews are big doubts for Sunderland. Jamie Hanson is suspended for Oxford after his appeal failed.