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Blues boss Steve Bruce paid tribute to the influential midfielder after revealing that he had played in the victory over West Ham despite losing nine of his family in the disaster.
Bruce said:"Just to turn up and play shows a massive commitment and great mental strength.
"We don't know the full details because there is a problem with communications but he has lost nine members of his family in the disaster. There were aunties, cousins and other relatives.
"The first we really knew about it was when he booked his flights on Friday.
"He never mentioned it all week, which shows immense courage. We heard a whisper on Thursday and I asked him about it, but he said he just wanted to concentrate on the game.
"He will be flying back home this evening and will be away for however long it takes, how can I tell him when to come back.
"However long it takes to get over something like that is irrelevant as far as I am concerned. It puts the football into perspective."