Blow as Cunningham 'out for month'

Steve Bruce may be forced to shelve plans to sign a striker after the news that 'King' Kenny Cunningham is set to be out for a month with a groin strain.

The Blues captain, who played his way through Saturday's 5-0 drubbing with the injury despite having not trained for two weeks, leaves Bruce with severe defensive problems.

Cunningham's injury, along with Martin Taylor's foot injury, means Bruce is likely to sign a defender before the transfer window closes in just over a month (January 31).

Bruce said: 'We've got to look at the options. Kenny Cunningham got through Saturday's game remarkably well because he hadn't trained for the best part of two weeks.

'He has got a very sore groin which could put him out for a good month. Martin Taylor has gone over on his leg, so defensively we are a little bit short as the squad stands at the moment.

'We've got to look at all these options before we dive into the next 10 days.

'I am not awash with money. I can probably get one or two players and we will look to see what is going to be beneficial to the squad before I dive into the market.'

With Blues now short up front and in defence, Bruce is likely to have his scouts working overtime as they try to find quality players for little money.

But with the transfer window ending in just over a week, do not be surprised to see another last-minute move in the vein of Dwight Yorke or Walter Pandiani - both deadline day deals in recent seasons.