Blues rocked by McFadden surgery
by Ben Blackmore, 22 March 2008
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has confirmed James McFadden will miss Blues’ next two games after undergoing surgery on his knee.
McFadden had corrective surgery on a tear in his knee on Saturday morning, just hours before Birmingham lost 2-1 to Reading to fall within a point of the relegation zone.
News of the Scotland international’s absence is a huge blow after he netted four goals in the last five games, but McLeish insists surgery could not have been avoided.
"James had a small tear in his knee. He had keyhole surgery this morning, and we'll miss him for two more matches,” explained the Birmingham manager.
"It happened after the Newcastle match. We were not concerned at first, because we thought it was just a knock.
"But over the past few days the physiotherapist thought it might be a tear in his knee - and so it proved to be.
"He's out now, but it lets other plays have a chance."
McFadden now misses clashes with Manchester City(H) and Wigan(A).
Andre Bikey was the Reading hero with two headers, and Steve Coppell admits the 40-point target is in sight.
He said: "It doesn't matter when you get the points; you just have to get them. I've said all along we're capable of getting 40, and that's still the case.
"We have seven games left, so the ball is still in our court."