More Injury Woe For DJ

Last updated : 12 October 2007 By Brian Cartlidge
The Blues midfielder sustained the hamstring injury during Blues' reserves against West Ham on Monday meaning he is certain to miss out on the trip to Blackburn this weekend and Northern Ireland's European Championship qualifier against Sweden on 17th October.

"This kind of thing happens in football and Jonty has to be strong enough to cope," Blues boss Steve Bruce has said.

"He had just got back to fitness and had played his first 90 minutes for nearly six months against Blackburn Rovers in the Carling Cup last week.

"He is unfortunately going through one of those stages, which he's never suffered with before in his career, in having one knock-back after the other.

"The re-occurring injury as a footballer is your worst nightmare especially when its a muscle injury. Kicks, bangs, knocks, cuts, bruises are nothing.

"I've seen Jonty play through all sorts of pain, when his jaw has been hanging off, for example.

"Talk about John Terry playing on with pain - Jonty is as tough as they come.

"It's a shame because he would have been very important to us with the stage of the season we've got ahead. He would have been ready and willing to take part and do his bit."