Izzet sustained the injury during the 2-2 home draw against Newcastle back in October and was sidelined for a month.
He made his comeback in the 1-0 win against Liverpool but was sent off in the following game against Everton at St Andrews.
He served a one match ban for that dismissal and was expected to return to the side for the home game with Norwich but the knee flared up in training the week preceding that game.
Izzet also sat out last weeks game against Arsenal and despite returning to training this week he broke down again on Thursday so it has now been decided that the Turkish international undergo exploratory surgery in an effort to get to the bottom of the knee problem.
Blues boss Steve Bruce this week recalled Darren Carter one week before his loan deal was due to expire at Sunderland and the young midfielder is sure to come into consideration for the local derby against Villa this weekend now that news of Izzet not being available has been confirmed.