Striker Noel Hunt says he’s determined to get back to action before the end of the season. The 32-year-old suffered a medial knee ligament injury in the 2-1 win at Fulham and is expected to be out for up to 12 weeks, by which time the regular season would be over.
Hunt, who joined the Blues on a contract for the rest of the season after leaving Leeds in January following a loan at the end of last year, says he was initially relieved to hear that the injury would keep him out for weeks rather than several months.
"I didn’t know the extent of the damage but I knew it was worse than a kick when I was being carried off on a stretcher,” Hunt told this evening’s match programme.
"On the Monday I had to see a specialist and I was fearing it might be nine months but he reassured me that it wasn’t as bad as that, which was a big relief.
"I’m gutted to be out, but the incentive for me now is to get back before the end of the season. If it’s 12 weeks and we are in the play-offs, then I can get back for that.
"If I can make it eight or nine weeks, then I’ll be back before the end of the season. That is what I’m aiming for.
"I’ll put the work in. I don’t like sitting around anyway so I’ll be doing double sessions and everything I can to be back as quick as I can.
"When I was coming off on the stretcher all I could hear was the fans singing my name. That meant a lot to me and I want to pay them back for that.”