Dunn blow for Blues

Birmingham City's preparations for the new season have been hit with a fresh hamstring injury for midfielder David Dunn.

The former Blackburn Rovers man had a difficult time of things last term with a persistent hamstring problem, and it looks as though the injury has resurfaced again.

Dunn lasted just ten minutes of Blues' 1-0 pre-season friendly win over Sheffield Wednesday, and now faces an anxious wait to see if it is a recurrance of the same old problem.

St Andrews boss Steve Bruce says that the injury is a massive blow to his preparations, but he will not know the full extent of Dunn's problem until he has further tests.

"We're obviously bitterly disappointed with the injury to David Dunn which has overshadowed everything for me," Bruce told Sky Sports News after Wednesday's friendly.

"The boy has worked so hard to get himself fit and ready for the season, he came back two weeks early and it's a big blow for him and for us.

"We think it's a similar injury but we won't know until we look into it.

"He missed half a season last season with a hamstring injury.

"He's worked so hard to get himself back to fitness and this is so unfortunate in what was a good workout for us tonight."

The match was otherwise a good exercise for Bruce's men, with new signing Emile Heskey making his debut following his club-record arrival from Liverpool.