Midfielder Cole Skuse joined in training for the first time since undergoing minor knee surgery before Christmas and he and Emyr Huws could be back in the squad for next week’s home game against Rotherham, while Jon Nolan may return for Saturday’s FA Cup tie at Accrington Stanley.
Manager Paul Lambert says Nolan, who missed the New Year’s Day defeat to Millwall due to a knock, was back on the training field today.
"He did a little bit this morning so we’ll assess him tomorrow to see how he’s feeling,” he said.
He says a couple of other players have bumps and bruises, while Skuse has made a much earlier than expected return to training. The 32-year-old had been expected to be out for two months when he went under the knife in early December.
"One or two little knocks, as you’d probably expect, one or two coming back. Cole trained this morning, Emyr trained this morning, which is really pleasing. We’re getting one or two back, which is good.”
Lambert says Saturday’s cup tie comes too soon for Huws: "No, this one is probably a bit early for him. He’s been out for over a year and it’s a long, long time but the great thing is that he’s back out on the grass and it’s good to have him back.”
Regarding Skuse, Lambert is pleased with the midfielder's progress and says both he and Huws could come into contention for next Saturday’s vital home game against the Millers.
"Asked when the Bristolian might return to match action, Lambert said: "I don’t know, but he’s done great. I didn’t have a chance to speak to him after training because I had to come and speak to you guys [the media] which isn’t my number one priority!
"He’s done great, him and Huws, as long as there’s no reaction to it, I’ll look at them and see how they go for next week.”
Looking at Saturday’s match at Accrington, Lambert admits it’s a chance to look at some of his fringe players but at the same time insists he’ll not be picking a very much weakened team as the Blues look for their first FA Cup victory since 2010.
"There is that but I won’t just pick a team and make it a gift,” he said. "We’ll go there as strong as we can to go through.
"We’re playing really good football at the minute. It doesn’t matter what ground you go to, we have our way of playing and we’ll go and try and win the game.”
Might Bartosz Bialkowski return in goal for Dean Gerken? "I’ll see how Deano is, he’s got a sore one. I’ll have a look at Deano and will see how he is. Bart is doing really well in training and looking like his old self, so I’ll assess it.”
New loan signing Callum Elder will be available to face the League One side but striker Ben Morris, 19, who has returned from his loan spell at Forest Green Rovers, is cup-tied.
Lambert has confirmed that 19-year-old midfielder Tristan Nydam, who is back from his spell with St Johnstone, will not be in his thoughts for the match.