Vaesen eyes October return

Birmingham City goalkeeper Nico Vaesen has set his sights on a return to action in October – two months ahead of schedule.

Vaesen has been side-lined since slipping and damaging knee ligaments in the derby at Aston Villa in early March.

The initial diagnosis was that Vaesen would be ruled out until the end of 2003 but he has made encouraging progress.

Vaesen said: “I am now looking at possibly early October to be available to play for the reserves again and then it will be a case of trying to get some rhythm back.

“I think the club felt that December was the original time scale but things have been feeling okay and I am into the rehabilitation work.”

Vaesen was Blues established number one ’keeper until the setback which meant he lost his place to long-serving Ian Bennett who performed creditably in the final part of the campaign.

City boss Steve Bruce has now also signed Maik Taylor on a year long loan from Fulham with a view to a £1.5m (€2.1m) signing next summer.

Vaesen and defender Martin Grainger (knee) are Blues only injury casualties ahead of the Premiership opener with Tottenham at St Andrews on Saturday.

Bruce said: “The most important thing is that we have come through pre-season with no new injuries picked up.

“After all the problems we had at one stage of last season, with five centre-halfs missing at one juncture, it is nice to be able to start the season with so many people available.

“Grainger, who has been doing a bit of work on the training ground, and Vaesen are the long term injuries but they are the only ones.”