Birmingham goalkeeper sidelined after surgery

Birmingham’s promising goalkeeper Jack Butland is facing a lengthy spell out of action after undergoing surgery to repair a broken hand.

The England Under-19s international was chosen as City’s young player of the year for last season.

Blues academy manager Terry Westley confirmed: “There was a little crack in bone.

“It might have healed on its own, but you’d hate for him to be in the first team at 21 and then have to get it done, so we’ve sacrificed this year.”