TONY Mowbray's period of medical leave has been extended at Birmingham City, with the former Middlesbrough and Sunderland manager due to return to work at the start of pre-season in the summer.

In Mowbray's absence, Blues moved to make an interim appointment, with Gary Rowett taking charge of the Championship strugglers until the end of the season.

Mowbray, say Birmingham, played a key role in identifying Rowett as the right man for the job until the end of the campaign.

Mowbray enjoyed an impressive start to life at St Andrew's and looked to have Birmingham back on track after the Wayne Rooney appointment had badly backfired, but the Teessider was forced to take medical leave in February.

In his absence, Birmingham have struggled and are winless in six games, leaving them just a point and a place above the relegation zone.

Assistant Mark Venus said recently that Mowbray is getting stronger, but Birmingham say the extended leave of absence will allow the 60-year-old to "focus 100% on being with his family and making a full recovery."

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Venus has also stepped away until the end of the season, but first team coaches Ashley Cole and Peter Shuttleworth and goalkeeper coach Maik Taylor will remain in position as part of Rowett’s coaching staff.

Rowett had a two-year spell in charge of Birmingham between 2014 and 2016. He's been out of work since leaving Millwall earlier this season.

A Birmingham City statement said: "The decision was taken to act at the beginning of the international break by the board and leadership team, in conjunction with Mowbray who played a role in the identification of Rowett as the right manager to take the team forward till the end of the season.

"The medical leave of absence will allow Mowbray to focus 100% on being with his family and making a full recovery following his recent health challenges. Assistant manager, Mark Venus, will also take a leave of absence with immediate effect and rejoin the club at the same time as Mowbray."

Birmingham City co-owner and chairman of the board, Tom Wagner, said: “The board and club leadership fully support Tony’s decision to take time to focus on his health and his family.

"We continue to wish Tony and his family the very best. Based on Tony’s decision to take some additional time away, we agreed it is in the club’s best interests to appoint Gary Rowett to lead the team forward from the touchline for the final eight games of the season. Gary is an experienced leader and has our full support.”

Chief executive officer, Garry Cook, said: “The team is in a challenging position. A strong leader is needed to guide the players through to the end of the season. Tony wanted to be part of the solution, so together we agreed to identify an interim manager. Gary Rowett was the number one choice.

"We are pleased to welcome Gary back to Blues. He has the necessary experience and the requisite passion for the club and our loyal fans. Gary will be provided all the support needed to keep the club in the Sky Bet Championship.”

He added: “We all look forward to welcoming Tony and Mark back to the Club before the start of next season and continue to wish Tony a speedy recovery.”