Benitez blow for Blues

20 July 2009 13:52
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has revealed record signing Christian Benitez is unlikely to be fit for the opening game of the Premier League season against Manchester United. The Ecuador striker, who is waiting on UK entry visa clearance, is recovering from a shoulder operation and is seven weeks into a 12-week rehabilitation programme. McLeish told the club`s official website: "It doesn't look good for the first game against Manchester United but we`ll see how quickly he heals for the second game. "We`ve just got to be patient. We haven`t signed Benitez for the first game of the season, we`ve signed him for the full season and we have to make sure he`s fit for the whole season."

Source: Eurosport