Striker Takes A Step Nearer To Comeback

Birmingham striker James McFadden has spent six months on the sidelines but is now getting close to making a return to full training.

The Scotland international is doing some rehabilitation work at the moment, but will be stepping up his schedule soon.

Although that doesn`t mean that manager Alex McLeish will be rushing him back into the side even though he has missed his input to the team so far this season.

The Blues boss said: 'Faddy is doing some work with the physio on the training field and he's at a good level. The healing process of the ligament is nearly complete.

'He is not far away and once the specialist scans him again and says the ligament is now healed completely, he'll make the push.

'It would be a big boost to have him back. The more the merrier. But we will make sure he is right.

'His first season here he was tremendous, then got a knee injury, came back and wasn't at the same level because he hadn't quite healed.

'You always miss a player like James McFadden and the options that he can give you.

'He is a fantastic talent. I thought this year was going to be his year because last season was a great psychological boost for him.

'By that I mean he played his first whole season in the Premier League whereas at Everton he was little bit of a bit-part player.'

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