Boss Roy Keane hopes midfielder Luciano Civelli will be back in action during pre-season, having previously ruled him out until August or September. Civelli has been sidelined since seriously damaging knee ligaments in last March’s game at home to Burnley.

Keane says the 23-year-old, who has recently been continuing his recovery back home in Argentina, underwent surgery earlier in the week but is making excellent progress: “He had a minor operation yesterday but he’s coming on really well. I spoke to him yesterday or the day before and his rehab is going really well.

“The plan is that we’re looking at pre-season. The surgery yesterday was only literally 15 or 20 minutes on a tear in his cartilage he had from a previous injury, but other than that the boy is in good spirits and whatever they are doing with him over there is working. We’re pleased for him and, please God, he’ll be available for pre-season.”

The Blues boss says the return to South America has been good for the former Banfield player: “He seems happier at home, obviously the language will help him. We see it with lots of players now, they go back to their own countries where they are more comfortable.

“I’ve no problem with that, if it helps the boy’s recovery, fantastic. We just want him back pre-season and for me it will be like having a new player.”

Civelli, who made eight appearances for Town last season, will go back to Argentina for the remainder of the season before returning to the club for pre-season.

Photo: Action Images

Wallingford_Boy added 16:05 - Mar 5 Just stop the partying Luca!! Or at least stop putting pics of yourself and various do's draped in pretty women!!
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byebyesheepshanks added 16:18 - Mar 5 i HEARD HE HAD A GASTRIC BAND
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J45 added 16:48 - Mar 5 It will be good to see him back i thuoght he looked promising in his first couple of games. Shame he was out for so long.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 16:49 - Mar 5 This is a young man who needs to get his career going asap. I wish him the very best of luck. In the best of all possible worlds, you'll be playing for ITFC in the Premiership before you're much older. [Allow me to dream!]
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RedDust added 17:35 - Mar 5 he's my favourite player!
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keeperbimbo09 added 19:07 - Mar 5 We need him back! He has scored 6 goals in 4 games for me on Fifa 10 COYB!!!! Also, Bring on blackpool! This could be a massive result for us if we could get a win here. My prediction: blackpool 1 - 2 town COME ON YOU BLUUUUUES
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cbower added 19:29 - Mar 5 Luca was starting to look the part when he was injured and certainly showed the potential to solve some left-side issues - be that in midfield or maybe even at full back as I believe he has played there beforesome. RK is right on this one, if he gets back for pre-season it will be like having a new player. I hope this is not another false dawn for the boy and the club. If we stay up (and I believe we will) it is essential the Keane makes good use of any funds made available to him. Marcus Evans, and indeed us supporters, will not tolerate many more flops like Lee Martin and Priskin.

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bluepeter added 19:50 - Mar 5 byebyesheepshanks, was he the drummer?
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the_gospel added 19:52 - Mar 5 bet he wont be going to the army barracks though.
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jas0999 added 21:24 - Mar 5 Good luck in your recovery. Naturally left footed.
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WickedBlue added 21:44 - Mar 5 cbower since you know what ME is thinking I take it you know him him. Say hi from me..........
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RedDust added 00:36 - Mar 6 murphy--healey civelli--leadbitter--norris--walters wright--delaney--mccauley--rosenior wright the boys got heart.. 23 moving half way round the world
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dirtydingusmagee added 07:53 - Mar 6 Good luck to him and hope he makes good recovery,but i fear he has been out for so long,and the nature of the injury,may put his playing days for us in doubt.Lets hope im wrong ,he looked like a good prospect on his arrival .
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cbower added 09:21 - Mar 6 Sorry to disappoint WickedBlue but I infortunately do not have the ear of Marcus Evans and was, of course, just expressing an opinion as to what he (and supporters too) is thinking. Do I sense a tinge of sarcasm?.............well.....yep! I will be more careful with my words in future and preface things with "I reckon" or "In my opinion" to avoid your confusion!!!!!
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legoman added 09:57 - Mar 6 I dread watching his return. I may miss 4 or 5 games just to make sure his knee holds up. It would be devastating for him and us if it went again. It gives me the collywobbles.
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