Cameron Jerome is hoping to be fit for Birmingham's clash with Portsmouth despite being set to have a hernia operation.
Blues striker set for hernia operation
Cameron Jerome is hoping to be fit for Birmingham's next Premier League clash against Portsmouth despite being set to have a hernia operation this week.
Jerome has been playing through the pain barrier with a hernia problem for several weeks and once again started the 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday.
It has now been decided that he should undergo surgery on Tuesday and use the international break to recover.
"I am going in for a hernia operation," said the striker. "Hopefully I am just going to be out for the international period so it has come as a good time for me.
"It has been troubling me for a while so we are going to get it sorted. I've had a groin problem since pre-season but I've just been getting on with it but it has been getting worse and worse.
"The time has come with the international break to get it done. It is a quick procedure and hopefully I'll be back soon for when Birmingham start playing again."
Forsell partnership
Jerome is confident that when he returns to action he will be able to form a successful partnership with Mikael Forsell, who was sidelined for a month with a similar problem earlier this season.
He said: "I believe myself and Mikael can work together in the Premier League, definitely. We linked up really well in pre-season and did well together.
"Of course, in some of the games you have to go with 4-5-1 formation to combat the top teams and sometimes it works.
"Sometimes the manager prefers to play with the two defensive midfielders and one in the `hole' and sometimes it works. You can get the person in the hole on the ball a lot and he can create opportunities for the wide men.
"But I am definitely more effective playing off a target man."
