Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish says he wants Christian Benitez to repay his faith with brilliant performances.

On loan from Santos Laguna, Chucho, as he is affectionately known, was late coming back from international duty with Ecuador and missed the Blues' clash with arsenal on the weekend.

This came after the club allowed him to return home to be with his family when his father was involved in a car accident forcing him to miss the away fixture at Burnley.

Now McLeish expects to be repaid with goals after showing so much compassion for Chucho's situation.

"We've had a meeting and he's got the message," said McLeish.

"I gave him a tarjeta amarilla - the yellow card.

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

"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 of him yet.

"It has been hectic for him ever since we brought him here but there's a chance now with the internationals out of the road."