Birmingham’s Martin Grainger could return to action sooner than expected after making good progress following surgery on his knee. The left-back had surgery in September and Blues manager Steve Bruce originally predicted that the player would be out of action until Christmas at least.
But Grainger is making good progress and is expected to be back in full training in around three weeks' time. His return will ease the club's injury crisis in defence. Makeshift defender Damien Johnson, who originally deputised for Grainger, is also in line to be back challenging for a first-team spot next week.
Bruce said: "There is a little bit of light on the horizon. Grainger is ahead of schedule and we are hoping that he can now be back at the beginning of December. Damien Johnson could also be back next week and it also looks as though Darren Purse could be okay with his knee. It's good news for us because a week ago we had six out of our eight main defenders missing."
However, Michael Johnson is still being pencilled in for a New Year comeback from his knee problem while club captain Steve Vickers is still three weeks' away from recovering from broken ribs.
"Michael will not be back before Christmas and Steve is only three weeks into his recovery and it will be another two or three before he is back on the training pitch. But at least it is some good news over all because we were down to the bare bones at the back not so very long ago," added Bruce.
Filed by Johnny Proby
