Midfielder Butt may face punishment for his actions

Butt, 31, left the hotel and went home after being overlooked for the match at West Ham, which Blues lost 3-0.

"I will be doing my own inquiries into it and we will deal with the matter over the next 48 hours in our own internal way," said Bruce.

Bruce picked his son Alex - normally a defender - in midfield ahead of Butt.

Butt missed Birmingham's game against Reading in the FA Cup on 7 February because of a dead leg.

Bruce added: "I will have discussions with him. He is obviously disappointed."

West Ham 3-0 Birmingham

"Nicky didn't ask for permission, he decided on his own bat to leave and go home.

He felt he would be better going and watching it at home rather than be with us Steve Bruce

"Alex was a makeshift midfielder with the injuries we've got but I wouldn't have thought that played any part in Nicky's decision. Not at all.

"Nicky didn't play in the last game because of injury and we decided that he was not going to be involved in the 16.

"He travelled with the team and when he wasn't involved with the 16, he left to go home."

Bruce revealed that he could understand why the former Manchester United star was frustrated.

He stated: "Nicky went home from the team hotel. Of course, that is not normal but you can understand his frustration and disappointment.

"He felt he would be better going and watching it at home rather than be with us. It is not ideal but that is what has happened.

"I will deal with it in a way I see fit. It is a bit difficult now with emotions running the way they are because I've just seen my team get stuffed."