Lazaridis hoping for end to injury nightmare

Stan Lazaridis is hoping his injury nightmare is behind him – and the Birmingham winger has set his sights on playing a major role in the final two months of the season.

Lazaridis has been dogged by a thigh problem since the problem first reared its head against Manchester City in August.

The Australian winger has attempted several aborted comebacks and the original injury was worse than first feared.

But he was back in the starting line-up for Sunday’s 2-0 derby triumph over Aston Villa and wants to stay involved – although he admits he will have to be nursed through the rest of the season because of his lack of match fitness.

Lazaridis said: “I’m pleased to be playing but I am running on 70 to 80%. I’m not really match fit. I’m not 100%.

“It has been a horrible season for me as far as missing games. I’ve never been in a situation at this club where I haven’t played as regular.

“At present I’m below my best but I was happy with that performance on Sunday. The manager wanted me to grind it out as far as I could and then took me off with 10 minutes to go.

“It was good just to be running at players again and I want a good finish to the season. I just want a run of six or seven games where I can get my 100%.”

Lazaridis admitted: “It has been so frustrating but the manager has been good as well. He’s resting me during the week, just trying to get me out on the field, and that’s what we are going to have to do until the end of the season.

“The problem was another tear which was hidden underneath the initial tear. It was like two injuries in one.

“Thigh tears are long injuries and, being a kicking muscle, you’ve got to give it respect. I’m thinking ‘I’ll be back in two or three weeks and it just never settled and it has been stop-start.

“It is going to need a lot of maintenance work on it but if I can get through to the end of the season and then have a good pre-season, then I’ll be in good shape again.”