Birmingham skipper Damien Johnson has learned that he suffered a fractured jaw after a challenge by West Brom defender Paul Robinson on Saturday.
There is absolutely no way I would deliberately hurt or 'do' a fellow professional
Robinson was shown a straight red card for elbowing in the dying minutes of Birmingham's 2-0 win at St Andrews - although he protests his innocence.
Johnson will now see a specialist to determine whether he needs surgery.
"For me, this one is just as bad as the Ben Thatcher incident a couple of weeks ago," fumed Blues boss Steve Bruce.
"Robinson has turned his whole body to make sure he gets his elbow through. That can only damage people. It was horrific, it was awful and it was intended. He knew what he was doing.
"I don't think in my 10 years of management I've ever criticised any individual but the more I see that challenge, the more I am appalled by it.
"I like Robinson as a player. I think he is the best full-back in the Championship but there is no need, especially in the light of what has happened in recent weeks, to mount a challenge like that."
But Robinson has insisted: "It was a 50-50 ball and I actually pulled out of the tackle because I saw Damien coming in with his foot up.
"I jumped out of the way to protect myself. That's the only reason my feet left the ground.
"Because of the speed at which we both went for the ball, there was no way I could get out of the way and I have a big bruise on my ribcage from the collision.
"The linesman, who was close to the incident, did not even flag for a foul and I was astonished when the ref showed me a red card.
"I hear that Damien has come off worse but there is absolutely no way I would deliberately hurt or 'do' a fellow professional."
Robinson is now facing a three-match suspension for violent conduct.
The "Ben Thatcher incident" to which Bruce alluded led to the Manchester City defender being handed an eight-match ban by the Football Association for elbowing Portsmouth's Pedro Mendes in the goalless draw on 23 August.