Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish admits he's spoken with Christian Benitez after he returned late from international duty with Ecuador last week.

The striker returned late from World Cup duty and missed Blues match at Arsenal last weekend.

"The wee man's back, we've had a meeting and he's got the message," said McLeish. "He held his hands up and admitted that there were some things he could have done better and I gave him a tarjeta amarilla - the yellow card."

McLeish told Benitez that he ought to think about his team mates and the fans.

"We gave him great support when his father had the car crash and he went off the radar a bit.

"I told him it was very important if we go forward, we have got to have the communication, the respect, the professionalism. For if I was dropping him from the team, I would explain to him why, I would communicate with him. I don't just ignore players.

"It's a mutual respect and I'm not treating them like kids, I'm treating them like professionals and when I had that little meeting with him, I outlined the importance of these things. He's not the only South American who has been incommunicado when he's gone back to his own country.

"I can imagine he's seen his all his family, friends. We gave him an extra week and I would just like to think that he will repay us with the performances. I did stress to Chucho that the fans have already got a lot of affection for him, despite not quite seeing that much him yet.

"It has been hectic for him, ever since we brought him here. He had that operation on his shoulder in the summer, he's had World Cup games.

"But there's a chance now, with the internationals out of the road, for him."