DJ blow for Blues

Birmingham skipper Damien Johnson will miss the start of the Barclays Premier League campaign after a scan revealed a grade one tear of his hamstring.

The results of the scan have confirmed the worst fears of the Northern Ireland midfielder who suffered the setback in a pre-season clash with Walsall 10 days ago.

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce said: "Jonty has a grade one tear of his hamstring and will be out for a total of around 21 days from the time he did the injury at Walsall."

Johnson will miss the opening clash at Chelsea on Sunday and possibly the first home game of the season with Sunderland three days later.

He could be back in contention for the clash with West Ham at St Andrews on August 18.

Johnson was keen to experience an injury-free campaign after the broken jaw suffered in a clash with West Brom's Paul Robinson kept him out of action for almost three months last season.

Johnson's absence means Bruce has to decide who will captain the team against Jose Mourinho's side.

Stephen Clemence generally wore the armband when Johnson was absent at any time last season but the midfielder has since departed to Leicester.