Cisse struggled with an ankle injury last season

Birmingham's Senegal international Aliou Cisse has ignored the club's request to return to pre-season training a week early.

Cisse should have reported to the club's Wast Hills training ground last Monday, following a long-term injury last season.

Birmingham have been unable to track him down and the midfielder could now face disciplinary action.

First-team coach Mark Bowen has been looking after last season's long-term casualties before the remainder of the first team squad return for pre-season training on 10 July.

"All the players went away for their summer break with an individual fitness programme to follow and details of what we expected from them," Bowen told the Birmingham Evening Mail newspaper.

"We decided to bring some back early before the main group, who report on Thursday.

"Unfortunately, Aliou failed to arrive and we have tried speaking to him throughout the close season, and again this week, but have had no success."

The club have tried to telephone Cisse, who was hampered by an ankle injury last season, and also written to him. Even the player's agent has not been able to put the club in touch with him.

Dunn passes Blues medical

Bowen added: "Now, whether there has been a genuine misunderstanding and wires have got crossed, we don't know.

"It could be that Aliou has gone back to Senegal and might think he was expected to turn up on 10 July with the others.

"Of course, there are certain disciplinary procedures at the club we would be within our rights to use if the situation isn't resolved satisfactorily."