Birmingham City defender Scott Dann will miss the rest of the season with a hamstring injury.
The 23-year-old sustained the injury during the Carling Cup semi-final first leg defeat to West Ham, and will now sit out the remaining months of the campaign after undergoing successful surgery.
Blues boss Alex McLeish said: “Scott had a successful operation the other day but he will be out for the rest of the season.
“You don't want to see your back four being disrupted too much.
“Scott has been an excellent performer, very consistent, and he is going to get even better.
“But I'm philosophical about these things. You've just got to get on with it. Managers can't legislate for injuries and suspensions and we've lost a good man.
“But it is up to his team-mates to show we won't miss him as much as we think.”