FORMER Ireland U-21 cap Gavin Gunning has been ruled out for the rest of the season, after just one game for his new club Birmingham City.

The 23-year-old only joined City from Dundee United in the summer and the Blues had high hopes for former Blackburn Rovers man Gunning. But he suffered a knee injury during an accidental clash with team-mate Colin Doyle in a Capital One Cup game last week and now the club have confirmed that the year is a write-off. He will not play again this season, the surgeon has confirmed.

"He is having an operation this week," said Birmingham boss Lee Clark. "We will work him, get him back fitter and stronger. But it is a hammer blow because he's a popular player.

"He has settled into the group very quickly. So that was a setback for us because we are a close group. The timescale we were looking at was six months but it is going to be anything from six to nine. And my medical team have said that he will not be available for any of the games this season."