Striker Luke Varney is expected to be out of action for a minimum of six months having successfully undergone surgery on his ruptured achilles yesterday.
Varney, who is on loan with the Blues from Blackburn until the end of the season, was stretchered off in the 31st minute of Saturday’s 1-1 Championship play-off semi-final first leg draw with Norwich City.
The 32-year-old spent the weekend at an Ipswich hospital before he was transferred to London for yesterday's surgery.
"Luke had the operation yesterday afternoon and it went fine,” Town physio Matt Byard told the club site.
"He has ruptured his achilles and with an injury like that, you are looking at a minimum of six months' recovery time.”
Speaking immediately after the game manager Mick McCarthy said: "It’s a big blow for him and I haven’t got a player for next week and maybe for Wembley, who knows.
"It’s such a big blow for him. I’m so disappointed for him. You see any player do that, but a lad like him, it’s really disappointing.”
He added: "He’s been wonderful, he’s been a breath of fresh air coming in. He, like all the loanees, has really contributed. He’s just such a great guy, we’ll have to look after him and make sure he’s OK.”
Fellow ex-Leeds man Noel Hunt was one of a number of Town players to visit Varney in hospital on Sunday, the Irishman spending three hours with his team-mate.
Varney, who is out of contract at Ewood Park in the summer, joined the Blues in February and has made six starts and five sub appearances, scoring once.