McPhail was out for three months for cancer treatment last season

Cardiff City midfielder Stephen McPhail will miss the start of the season after suffering a knee injury.

McPhail has undergone minor knee surgery and Bluebirds boss Dave Jones has revealed the 30-year-old will be out for two or three weeks.

The Republic of Ireland player took a knock in the Bluebirds' 2-1 pre-season defeat at Notts County last weekend.

Jones said: "He will be out for two to three weeks, which is a shame so close to the new season."

McPhail's injury is a blow for Cardiff as Scottish international Gavin Rae is currently the only regular first-team central midfielder in Jones' squad since the summer departure of Wales star Joe Ledley to Celtic.

Jones has signed Manchester United youngster Danny Drinkwater on a season-long loan but the Bluebirds are unable to register the 20-year-old until their transfer embargo is lifted.

Cardiff, last season's beaten Championship play-off finalists, start their league campaign at home to Sheffield United on 8 August.

And if Drinkwater is unable to feature, Jones may be forced to move defender Darcy Blake into the centre of midfield alongside Rae as he did last season when the Cardiff boss was without McPhail and Ledley due to injuries.

McPhail has suffered a torrid 12 months as Cardiff's key midfielder missed three months of last season when he received cancer treatment.

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