Bendtner Could Return For Royals Clash

Last updated : 26 January 2007 By Brian Cartlidge

The on-loan Blues striker sustained an ankle injury in the 2-2 FA Cup 3rd Round home draw against Newcastle United three weeks ago and was expected to be sidelined for 4-6 weeks.

However, Bendtner has made a sooner-than-expected recovery and trained with the Blues first team squad this week.

He could return to spearhead the Blues attack against Steve Coppell's side at St Andrew's on Saturday although manager Steve Bruce has siad he will not rush the 18-year-old Danish international back into action to soon.

"It might be just too close for Bendtner tomorrow, but he did train for the first time since his injury yesterday," Bruce told the Birmingham Mail.

"I have got to be careful with him. He's done amazingly well to get to where he is. It just shows how youngsters heal.

"He has worked his backside off to get into this position. He's been in the swimming pool, the gym, people have worked with him one-to-one.

"He went over his ankle in the first Newcastle FA Cup game, which was two-and-a-half weeks ago. We expected him to be about five or six weeks on the sidelines. So it's fantastic where he's at now."