A HIGH Court battle between Middlesbrough FC and Birmingham FC after Garry Monk's sacking has been settled, according to the club.

Boro were suing their Championship rivals and former England international James Beattie, Sean Rush, Ryan Needs and Darryl Flahavan over fears that inside knowledge of the club's backroom staff might give City a ‘competitive advantage’ over them.

The staff had all worked alongside former manager Monk during his time at the Teesside club.

Now a confidential settlement has been reached between both clubs and Birmingham’s backroom coaches.

Last night Boro said on its website: “High Court proceedings between Middlesbrough Football Club and Birmingham City Football Club and its backroom team have ended with agreed settlement terms.

“Middlesbrough FC had commenced proceedings in relation to their move from Middlesbrough FC to Birmingham City FC.

“Birmingham City FC and its backroom team had defended Middlesbrough FC’s claims and the backroom team had counter-claimed for damages against Middlesbrough FC.

“The parties have now reconciled their differences and agreed confidential settlement terms which bring matters to a conclusion.”

Boro had argued the now rival coaches had confidential information about the club’s targets, strategy and player wages which could give City an advantage over Boro in the Championship.

It said clauses in the team’s contracts prevented them working together, or alongside Monk, until the end of this year.

Monk left Boro just before Christmas 2017 and his backroom team were not far behind in joining him. But Beattie, Rush, Needs and Flahavan were put on gardening leave when Monk was sacked, the club argued in court, and they had restrictions in their contracts to protect Boro.

The fear was that younger players recruited by the Birmingham staff during their time at Boro would remain loyal to them at Birmingham.

Monk’s team will face Boro on the pitch at the Riverside on August 11.

Before joining Birmingham, Beattie was employed by Boro as first team coach, Flahavan as goalkeeping coach, Rush as head of physical performance and Needs as head of physical performance analysis.

Monk was Middlesbrough manager for just six months, from June to December last year, when he was sacked.