Birmingham City are set to be without midfielder Ivan Sunjic ahead of their first league match of the season against Sheffield United this weekend. 

The 24-year-old made 45 appearances in total for the Blues last term, as they finished 18th in the Championship table, in what was a frustrating league campaign for the club's supporters to witness.

Sunjic missed their recent pre-season defeat to West Brom, although he did feature in the club's under-23s clash against Stoke City.

Speaking in a recent interview (quotes sourced from Yorkshire Live), Blues boss Lee Bowyer confirmed that Sunjic won't be ready to be involved in their season opener against Sheffield United on Saturday.

“Ivan has not played a game, he has had two training sessions this week – that was his first 60 last night. He won’t be ready for next Saturday.

“We are not just hiding him away so someone comes and buys him, he has been injured. Would I much rather him have been sitting on the bench or playing today? Of course I would, but he has genuinely been injured.

“We are not just making it up. There’s no ploy or plot to anything."

It's set to be a tough test for Bowyer's side, as they take on a Sheffield United side that will be looking to make a winning start to life back in the Championship, following their relegation from the Premier League last term.

The Verdict: 

This will be a frustrating update for the Birmingham City supporters to hear of this summer.

Sunjic has been an important player for the Blues in recent seasons, and it's not ideal to not have the midfielder available ahead of their season opener against Sheffield United.

It was already going to be a tough enough test for Lee Bowyer's side, but to not have Sunjic back available for selection makes that job even harder for the Blues.

They'll be keen to have him back available for selection at the earliest of opportunities, as the Blues look to challenge higher up the second-tier standings this term.