Birmingham defender Martin Taylor will miss the first month of the Premier League season due to a stomach injury.

The 27-year-old Taylor, who signed a new three-year contract in April, has a stomach muscle tear and will undergo surgery early next week.

Blues boss Steve Bruce said: "He goes into hospital on Monday for surgery, and will be out for at least a month.

"He's been feeling this problem for the past week and we felt it was better to get it sorted out straight away."