The influential Blues midfielder has been ruled out of Saturday's game at St Andrew's with a calf injury.
Manager Steve Bruce will also be without skipper Damien Johnson for the match against The Foxes as he begins a three game ban for his sending off against Leeds last weekend.
Defender Bruno N'Gotty will also be missing as he serves the final game of his three game ban for his red card against Ipswich a fortnight ago whilst Martin Taylor is sidelined with a stomach muscle injury.