New injury blow for Dunn

Dunn will begin pre-season training earlier than his team-mates

Midfielder David Dunn will miss Birmingham's final two games of the season after he suffered a reaction to his comeback from a hamstring injury.

The former England Under-21 captain has been dogged by the problem for the second half of the campaign.

He made his return against Arsenal last weekend but will now miss the matches with Liverpool and old club Blackburn.

Manager Steve Bruce said: "It is a shame because I know he wants to play against Blackburn."

Bruce added that the club have tried to get to the root of the problem but he now hopes that rest and rehabilitation will prove to be the answer.

He has had a bit of a reaction after the Arsenal game and I blame myself to an extent because I probably left him on the pitch too long Steve Bruce

Dunn will report back to Birmingham for pre-season training ahead of his team-mates after the summer break.

Birmingham are currently 10th in the Premiership table and a higher position would generate more money for the club.

But Bruce said: "I know there are places to play for in the Premiership and huge money available for every one of those but I cannot risk David being injured for the summer.

"He has had a bit of a reaction after the Arsenal game and I blame myself to an extent because I probably left him on the pitch too long but he was such a threat in the first half.

"David has done the hamstring three times and we have done everything we possibly can. We have gone down every route.

"It is certainly not like it was but the reaction to it after Saturday means something is still not quite right.

"But we are pretty sure if he rests in the summer and does extra rehab then he will be fine for pre-season."