Scan for Birmingham's Johnson

Birmingham captain Damien Johnson has undergone a scan to determine the extent of a hamstring injury suffered during the friendly clash with Walsall at the weekend.

Johnson was taken off after 71 minutes of City’s 2-0 win at the Bescot Stadium.

Blues manager Steve Bruce is hoping that the Northern Ireland international has not suffered a tear with the Premier League opener against Chelsea only 11 days away.

Johnson was unable to play any part in City’s latest friendly against Peterborough on yesterday evening.

He has been hailed by Bruce as his best ever signing in terms of value for money, and his absence for the beginning of the new season would be a big blow.

Johnson is one of the few players in the Blues squad who has plentiful Premier League experience to draw upon.

Defenders Rafael Schmitz and Mat Sadler, who recently signed a new three-year deal, are also currently sidelined with Achilles tendon problems.

On a more positive note, Bruce is confident summer signings goalkeeper Richard Kingson and winger Daniel de Ridder will obtain international clearance by the weekend.