Forssell injury more serious

Mikael Forssell will be out of action for six months with his knee injury.

The forward, who is spending a second season on loan at Birmingham City from Chelsea, underwent an operation on Wednesday on a niggling knee complaint.

He has been hampered by the injury since pre-season and returned to his parent club Chelsea earlier this week for treatment on the problem.

Birmingham boss Steve Bruce felt Forssell would require six weeks on the sidelines but reports in the player's homeland claim the injury is more serious.

The Finnish national set-up have revealed the exploratory surgery on the 23-year-old's knee uncovered more serious damage.

"It seems they found something in his kneecap," said Finland national team spokesman Timo Walden.

"Until yesterday we had hoped that he would play in our two matches in October. Now we hope he will be fit for the Czech Republic match (in March)."

Forssell's injury is a blow for club and country as he was leading scorer at St Andrews during his debut campaign with Bruce's side.