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.