Forssell faces month on sidelines after operation
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Birmingham City striker Mikael Forssell will be out of action for a month after discovering that, like Michael Owen, he needs surgery to cure a hernia problem.
The Finland international has been dogged by injury problems, most notably a knee complaint for the past three seasons. The former Chelsea player finally looked as if his troubles were behind him after impressing in pre-season and scoring on the opening day of the season at Stamford Bridge.
But Birmingham manager Steve Bruce admitted Forssell needs an operation sooner rather than later to try to minimise the time he will be sidelined.
Bruce said: "Mikael will go into hospital on Monday. It looks like he has got a hernia problem and we will do something about it as quickly as we possibly can.
"He will miss the Manchester United and Blackburn games but, with the two-week international break coming up soon, hopefully he will be back available after that. These things usually take three to four weeks.
"You feel sorry for the lad because he has had so many knock-backs in recent years but kept persevering. This season, he came back looking sharp and we wondered if he was finally over everything and this will be another blow to him," said Bruce.
Elsewhere, the Football Association will begin taking their message to the country on Monday when they launch a planned series of roadshows at West Bromwich Albion.
The England coach, Steve McClaren, the FA's chief executive, Brian Barwick, and the director of football development, Sir Trevor Brooking, will all be at the Hawthorns for an event which will culminate in an open floor Question Time session, presented by the BBC's Mark Clemmit.
The initiative is an attempt to show the wide-ranging work of a body which goes far beyond handing out fines and suspensions, or handling the England team and the FA Cup. Providing Monday night's event is a success, similar evenings will be held across the country as the FA promote the vast amount of work they do at grassroots level.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments