Birmingham City manager Pep Clotet has revealed that midfielder Gary Gardner could be out of action the next four to six weeks, following the Blues' 1-0 win against Blackburn Rovers at St Andrews on Tuesday night.

Gardner missed out on the game against Blackburn having suffered an injury late on in the Blues' 1-0 defeat at Leeds United at the weekend, with the midfielder picking up a leg injury after coming off the bench for Jude Bellingham in the 76th minute as Clotet's side chased an equaliser.

The 27-year-old has been a key part of Birmingham's side this season, whether from the start or coming off the bench, having made eleven appearances so far for the Blues - and Clotet will be wanting the midfielder to get back to fitness as soon possible to help his side build on their solid start.

Speaking to Birmingham's official club website following the win against Blackburn, Clotet suggested that Gardner has had surgery on the injury and will now be looking to return in the next six weeks, saying "On that free-kick against Leeds it was not right on his standing leg, he fell straightaway. It was something in the knee.

"He got checked on Sunday by a specialist and this morning had a little surgery in London. There was a piece of miniscus removed, a minor operation. It's not a big thing but I hope he's going to be back in four to six weeks."

The Verdict

Birmingham's win against Blackburn might have been somewhat dampened by this latest update on the fitness of Gardner, with the midfielder set to miss out on at least the next month of action as the Blues look to build on the win against Rovers which lifted them up to 11th in the Championship table.

Clotet's side will have cover for Gardner with the likes of Bellingham, David Davis and Ivan Sunjic all fit and ready to make a contribution in the centre of midfield, but the Birmingham manager has elected to use Gardner from the bench ahead of Davis when the 27-year-old has not started.

The Blues will be hoping that Gardner can come back from injury as soon as possible and help them to continue their solid recent form, especially at St Andrews, as Clotet's side aim to mount a potential push for the play-offs during the rest of the campaign.