Bruce: 'Muzzy is on the way back'

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce has admitted there is “light at the end of the tunnel” in terms of the fitness of midfielder Muzzy Izzet.

Izzet has endured a nightmare time with knee problems since he moved to St Andrews after nine years at Leicester last summer.

He initially suffered ligament damage against Newcastle in early October and then broke down again after a two-game comeback the following month.

The Turkish international underwent surgery in January and his battle to regain fitness has been slower than had been anticipated.

But the former Chelsea reserve has been pencilled in for a return to full training within the next week providing there are no further reactions.

Bruce said: “There is a bit of light at the end of the tunnel regarding Muzzy and we hope we can see him on the training ground in the next week or so.

“It has been a long and frustrating time for everyone concerned. Muzzy had his operation eight or nine weeks ago and we had expected him to return before now. It has been a slow process – but hopefully he can play for Birmingham again this season.

“He has been one of the players we have been missing for most of the season. We’ve had David Dunn, Stan Lazaridis and Muzzy, all creative players, out for a long time plus last season’s top scorer Mikael Forssell.”

Bruce, meanwhile, is still feeling the pain of Blues woeful performance when beaten 2-0 by West Brom at The Hawthorns.

His number two Eric Black admitted: “The manager feels as if he has had his guts ripped out.

“Everyone needs to take responsibility, from the bottom to the top, as it wasn’t acceptable. I can assure you that he won’t allow it to continue and the players know they let themselves and everybody down.”