Birmingham City striker Garry O’Connor has been ruled out for up to eight weeks following a groin operation.

Birmingham striker Garry O’Connor faces up to eight weeks out after being forced to undergo surgery on his groin injury.

Birmingham City duo Garry O’Connor and Stuart Parnaby are likely to be sidelined for several weeks.

O’Connor suffered a groin injury in the warm-up before the defeat at QPR while Parnaby picked up a hamstring problem 12 minutes into the same match…

Birmingham City duo Garry O’Connor and Stuart Parnaby are likely to be sidelined for several weeks.

Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish expresses his delight for in-form goalscorer Garry O’Connor.

Garry O’Connor’s double helped Birmingham to a victory over Sheffield Wednesday

Garry O’Connor scores twice in the first half and Kevin Phillips also gets on the scoresheet as Championship leaders eas to a comfortable victory at St Andrews

A night that promised to bring only frustration delivered what could prove to be the most precious of victories for Birmingham City as Garry O’Connor’s fortuitous goal, deep into injury time, propelled Alex McLeish’s side back to the Championship summit. Neil Warnock was aggrieved the breakthrough arrived after the three minutes of added time had been played yet so cautious were Crystal Palace that it was difficult to feel sympathy.It was apposite that O’Connor should score the winner after the Birmingham striker struck the woodwork twice in 10 minutes in the first half with two wonderful shots from outside the area. His goal was nothing like as special as those efforts but joy was etched across his face as he raced away to celebrate after Julián Speroni had palmed Kevin Phillips’ cross-shot on to his chest.The outcome was too much for one or two Palace players as frustration boiled over at the final whistle, with Shaun Derry grabbing Jose Fonte, his team-mate, by the throat before coaching staff intervened. Warnock did not comment on the incident but he did not hide his exasperation with the officials. “I don’t think the fourth official should be shaking hands with Birmingham’s staff as we are making a substitute,” said the Palace manager before pointedly adding, “it was disappointing we conceded in the fourth minute of injury time.”Warnock applauded his players for their efforts, though he was stretching it when he claimed: “I don’t think anyone deserved to win.” Birmingham were always the more likely to emerge with three points - that O’Connor proved to be the difference gave McLeish added satisfaction.”If anybody deserved a goal it was O’Connor,” said the Birmingham manager. “He’s done what every good striker should do for the goal and that’s follow in a shot on the keeper.”Birmingham were running out of ideas, however, with desperation beginning to creep in. Hopes of a winning goal had all but disappeared until Phillips cracked a shot across the face that Speroni palmed on to O’Connor and over the line.ChampionshipBirmingham CityCrystal Palaceguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2008 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

A groin injury has forced striker Garry O’Connor out of Scotland’s opening World Cup qualifiers.

Kevin Phillips and Garry O’Connor netted first-half goals as Birmingham recorded a 2-0 win over Barnsley.