Manager Paul Jewell says midfielder Luciano Civelli’s return to first team action after 23 months out due to a multi-ligament knee injury will give his confidence a boost. The 24-year-old came on as a sub in the closing stages of Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Sheffield United.

Jewell told the club site: "Luca has had a tough time with a serious injury but he's back in contention now.

“He's been involved in training since I've been here and has shown a good attitude. We're delighted to have him in our squad.

"He reminds me of Kevin Kilbane in the way he runs, and being back on the pitch and in the team should add to his confidence."

Civelli, who is contracted until 2012, had made eight first team appearances for the Blues before suffering his injury in March 2009 during the 1-1 home draw with Burnley.

Photo: Action Images

rackoona08 added 15:54 - Feb 7 Welcome Back Luca all the best for rest of season.
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KenDubZ added 15:58 - Feb 7 Wellcome back Cevelli mate I have alot of time for you and I hope you get played abit more often :)
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hampstead_blue added 16:07 - Feb 7 It was great to have him back. Every time he touched the ball the whole crowd cheered. Hope he heard that and feels the love!
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depressed added 16:15 - Feb 7 Civelli back from a long term injury, Ipswich back to winning ways, Happy Days !
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bluelady added 16:22 - Feb 7 i had to leave just before he came on (never ever do but had an appointment i could not cancel). was he ok for the few mins he was on? Maybe he can get inspiration from Jimmy B who had same injury?
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Garv added 16:30 - Feb 7 He didn't get on the ball much but the most noticeable thing he did was a confident pacey run forward in midfield and laid it off to the wing, he looks like he really wants to kick on now. Slightly worried however that when his deal runs out in a year and he may not have had an impact and then be released, would be a real kick in the teeth for him.
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HighgateBlue added 16:36 - Feb 7 3-0, wonder goal from Wickham, two funny sendings off, and Norwich lost, Civelli coming on was the icing on the fantastic cake. Really good to see him back in action.
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Strider added 16:46 - Feb 7 Great to see him back and like a new signing. Should flourish under this manager and like many on here i was gutted when he got injured as he looked very promising. Give him 20 mins next time.
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ozzydog added 16:50 - Feb 7 This sums up the difference between beano and PJ beano waffles on about Luca getting his head right PJ gives him a couple of minutes on the pitch, the crowd go mental and Luca comes off the pitch feeling great Well done PJ and very welcome back Luca COYB
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old_and_blue added 17:02 - Feb 7 Encore all the messages of good will here.. Hope things continue to go well for you. Looking forward to seeing you back in action..
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petermorris added 17:11 - Feb 7 agree with ozzydog. & I love the way Luca moves with the ball, brilliant stuff and good to see that again. Watching him for 5 mins, and Bullard earlier, made me have Arnold Muhren and Frans Thijssen flashbacks.... I've got a good feeling about this whole PJ thing.
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roytheboy added 17:23 - Feb 7 Once fully fit again he will be a massive inclusion in the starting line up.
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StortfordBlue added 17:29 - Feb 7 Will be as good as a new signing if he can stay fit - good luck Luca :o)
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Tractorog added 17:44 - Feb 7 If he keeps being brought on after we are 3 up then he should play at least 45 minutes on Saturday... ...well here is hoping anyway. :-)
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Phlooky added 17:58 - Feb 7 Hands up all those who said we wouldn't see him again.
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harlingblue added 18:15 - Feb 7 Great to have Luca back in the fold, only had a few minutes, but every touch looked class...onwards and upwards the PJ revolution, at last a feel good factor is returning to PR after so many recent barren years!
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Worcester added 18:26 - Feb 7 Hope you can steer clear of injuries Luca and best wishes for the brighter future we going to enjoy from now on
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osborne1nil added 18:26 - Feb 7 Really pleased to see Luca playing again. Very nasty injury that could have ruined his career perminently. May take a while to get his form back and full confidence. Fully agree with PJ giving him a runout which should boost his confidence too. Well done Luca.
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Garv added 18:32 - Feb 7 I forgot to add a welcome back message...welcome back Luciano!
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Suffolk_n_Good added 18:55 - Feb 7 Undoubted quality, can't wait for him to be back to his pre-injury form, welcome back Luca.
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TractorBeezer added 19:11 - Feb 7 Welcome back Luca and good luck. As pointed out by others it's like having a new signing (as well as Lee Martin)
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Mark added 19:12 - Feb 7 Most of us, and seemingly the last manager, had written Civelli off as ever playing for Town again. It was great to see him back therefore, albeit for such a short period of time. We paid about £1M for him and he is still only 24, so let's really hope he can get back into the first team. It's certainly competitive on the left of midfield now with Martin, O'Connor and Drury able to play there.

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rosseden added 19:49 - Feb 7 didnt he say hed play for less of give back some money or something or extend his contract with no pay or something before when the injury happened?
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Blackbirdblue added 20:16 - Feb 7 Good to see Civelli in action --- plus warm reaction from the fans--- he and Lee Martin are quality--- with the right guidance from PJ they can do a job for us ---COYB
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itfc1981 added 20:21 - Feb 7 Super Luca, nuts are we!
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