McLeish hopes City star McFadden will miss just one more game

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The former Scotland boss kept his own counsel last week after the striker sustained a small tear in his knee joint during the 1-1 draw with Newcastle United.

McFadden underwent surgery 24 hours before the defeat at Reading and has also kept him sidelined for Manchester City's visit to St Andrew's on Saturday.

But he may be back in contention for the trip to face former boss Steve Bruce at Wigan, although it is more likely that he will save himself for the visit of former club Everton on April 12.

McLeish said: "The operation went very well and James feels good.

"It's important that we get 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 will be guided by chief physio Neil McDairmid and his team.

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Sidelined: Birmingham's Scottish star James McFadden

"We can ill afford to lose players like James 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 as we don't have the resources."

However, Kapo is likely to return this weekend. His hamstring trouble, during the game with Arsenal, was overshadowed by a far more serious injury to Eduardo, yet there is little doubt that McLeish has missed his influence during the past month.