Blues predict Dunn op success

Birmingham are “100%” confident that midfielder David Dunn will make a complete recovery when he undergoes surgery early next month on a long-term back problem.

Dunn has been plagued by a nerve problem in his lower back, which also affects his hamstrings, for the past 12 months.

The former Blackburn player has made several aborted comebacks after it had been hoped a series of injections would address the setback.

But going under the knife will provide the only solution and Blues chairman David Gold is optimistic that Dunn will be ready to resume at the start of next season.

Gold said: “The operation will sort it out. We are reassured that this is the correct route forward for ‘Dunny’ to take.

“We had hoped initially that a series of injections would do the trick and that would have meant we would get more games from him this season.

“But we will battle on without him and get him right for next season. That’s the important thing. We are all very optimistic and positive.

“I think the recovery will take something like five months but he should make a complete recovery. We are assured 100% that the operation will solve the problem.”

Dunn had originally been earmarked to undergo surgery last week but a slight reaction to his final series of injections caused a slight delay and he will now go on the operating table on Saturday week.

Meanwhile, defender Mario Melchiot is facing a battle to be fit for Saturday’s Premiership encounter at Crystal Palace.

The former Chelsea player is given only a 50-50 chance after twisting his ankle in Blues’ impressive 2-0 win over Liverpool nearly a fortnight ago.