Damien Johnson

Manager Alex McLeish has revealed that Blues club captain Damien Johnson will undergo an operation to mend his niggling back problem.

Jonty travelled out to Austria for the pre-season tour but the injury flared up again before he'd even kicked a ball and just a day or so after arriving the midfielder flew back to Birmingham for assessment.

It has now been decided that the best course of action is an op and McLeish has pledged that the player will have the club's full support as he goes through the procedure and the subsequent rehabilitation, which is likely to keep him out of action for at least two months.

McLeish said: "Damien will have to have surgery on his back. He has resisted it over the last couple of years but now it is felt that an operation is best.

Lee Carsley will kick off the season as Captain

"He will be out of action for no less than two months and we will support him 100 per cent with the op and rehab."

When the season starts on August 9, the man who will be wearing the skipper's armband will be experienced midfielder Lee Carsley.

McLeish adds: "Lee has a vast knowledge of the game and is an excellent leader.

"Damien Johnson is our club captain but because of his injury Carso will wear the armband when the new campaign gets underway."