Friday Sep 28 2007 11:26
Birmingham City striker Mikael Forssell has been ruled out for four weeks after being told he requires surgery on a hernia problem.
The injury-plagued Finland international recently returned to full-fitness after an 18-month battle with knee injuries, but has been ruled out of the next two Premier League games.
Forssell, who joined the Blues from Chelsea in 2005, saw a move to German side Hannover collapse in the summer due to concerns over his long-term fitness.
The 26-year-old has scored once in six appearances this season.
"You feel sorry for the lad because he has had so many knockbacks in recent years but kept persevering," said Birmingham boss Steve Bruce.
"Mikael will go into hospital on Monday. It looks like he has got a hernia problem and we will do something about it as quickly as we possibly can.
"He will miss the Manchester United and Blackburn games but, with the two-week international break coming up soon, hopefully he will be back available after that. These things usually take three to four weeks.
"This season, he came back looking sharp and we wondered if he was finally over everything and this will be another blow to him."
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