Tony Mowbray health update as Mark Venus reveals new Birmingham City motivation

Birmingham City manager Tony Mowbray has undergone successful surgery following the recent diagnosis that saw him step back from his usual duties in the St Andrew's @ Knighthead Park dugout.

Assistant manager Mark Venus has been front and centre during Mowbray's absence and will continue to be so for several more weeks. The exact condition of Mowbray is still unknown but the positive news is the 60-year-old is on the mend.

"An update on the gaffer, his surgery was successful and he's getting stronger now," Venus revealed during Thursday's press conference. "The lads are always asking about him so it's given us confidence. The Southampton game will be a great occasion and I'm really looking forward to it," Venus continued.

Mowbray will remain away from action for a while longer as he's only 10 days into the six-to-eight-week absence confirmed by the club on February 19. The former Sunderland, Blackburn Rovers and West Bromwich Albion boss is recovering at home. He's in regular communication with Blues to keep some sort of input going.

In the meantime, Birmingham will be keen to earn positive results on the field to make Mowbray proud. Saturday's game against Southampton is significant as the gap to the Sky Bet Championship relegation zone is now merely three points.