Birmingham City hope James McFadden will be back within three weeks following a knee operation.

McFadden missed last weekend's 2-1 defeat at Reading after picking up the injury in the previous match against Newcastle United.

He was immediately ruled out of the upcoming fixtures with Manchester City and Wigan Athletic, and is also doubtful for the game with Everton on April 12.


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Blues boss Alex McLeish has confirmed the operation was a success and he is keen to have his January signing back to boost the club's survival bid.

"The operation went very well and James feels good," McLeish told the club's official website.

"It's important that we got him sorted out for the games that will be crucial at the end of the campaign.

"Hopefully now he'll be back in two or three weeks, but we'll be guided by Neil McDiarmid (the chief physio) and his team.

"We can ill afford to lose players like James McFadden and (Olivier) Kapo from what is a small and inexperienced squad.

"These are major blows to any team never mind Birmingham City, but especially to us when you don't have the resources."