More injury woe for Bruce
Birmingham manager Steve Bruce’s joy at moving out of the Premiership bottom three has been tempered by further injury setbacks.
Winger Jermaine Pennant and striker Emile Heskey suffered groin and ankle injuries respectively in the 2-1 home win over Blackburn last night.
The key duo are already rated doubtful for Saturday’s clash with Everton at Goodison Park and join a casualty list which has lengthened in the past five days.
Playmaker David Dunn, leading scorer Jiri Jarosik and winger Stan Lazaridis are also unlikely to have recovered from various setbacks in time for the weekend.
In addition, Matthew Upson is starting on the long road back to fitness after undergoing surgery on his ruptured Achilles tendon which he suffered in the warm-up against Aston Villa on Sunday.
Bruce said: “I came into a press conference last Friday all bright and bubbly about having a full squad to choose from for just about the first time this season.
“Then within 48 hours Jarosik has done his hamstring in training, Upson has ruptured his Achilles against Aston Villa and Dunny has damaged his calf inside the first 15 minutes of the same game.
“Now we’ve lost Pennant and Heskey in the next match with Blackburn. Pennant has got a groin injury. He hurt that in the first 30 seconds taking the first free-kick while Heskey has gone over on his ankle and had to come off.
“Lazaridis is struggling desperately with a groin, Jarosik is nowhere near ready, and Dunn has no chance. Muzzy Izzet might have a chance for Saturday but his knee is very sore.
“It’s absolutely horrendous how we keep picking up one injury after the other. Even when we win a game, things are tempered by yet more injuries and now I’ve more to ponder over for Saturday.”
