Source: Team_Talk
McLeish optimistic over Faddy return
irmingham boss Alex McLeish is optimistic James McFadden could return before the end of the season from his cruciate ligament injury.[LNB] McFadden was starting to show his best form when he suffered the setback in training last month.[LNB]It was initially feared that McFadden would be out for at least six months and, by the time he had regained match sharpness, the campaign would effectively be over.[LNB]But McLeish is now more confident the Scotland international could play some part after Christmas.[LNB]McLeish said: "He's progressed very well, but we have to put the reins on him.[LNB]"It's a cruciate injury. No matter how players recover from it, they certainly don't recover in two or three months.[LNB]"We have to put the brakes on his own passion to get fit again.[LNB]"He's doing some light weights, some bench presses, some leg presses. Things like that. One of the physios is working with him every day.[LNB]"Will he be back before the end of the season? I think he could be. Stefan Klos made a great recovery at Rangers from the same sort of thing when I was there.[LNB]"I think he was back in four or five months and James has shown that kind of progress as well.[LNB]"It was a shame it happened when he did because I felt James was going to have a big season and he had just played very well against Liverpool.[LNB]"It also hampered our striking situation because the others weren't quite ready to return."[LNB]McFadden's current deal runs out at the end of the season although City have a two-year option in their favour they can exercise.[LNB]McLeish said: "I wouldn't think that we would be letting a guy like James McFadden walk out of here free."
