Irish central defender Gerard Nash is close to a return to action after a long spell recuperating from the second cruciate ligament operation of his short career. The 18-year-old's next target is reserves action.

Nash told the club site: "I have been back running and training now for a while and the next step is to play for the reserves.

"The knee feels fine and I am training normally now.

"I had to get through the psychological side of things, taking a knock on the knee, things like that but there was never really a problem and now I'm raring to go.

"Hopefully, I will get a run out for the reserves either next week or the week after."

Nash has made one senior appearance for the Blues, as a sub in last season's 6-1 home victory over Burnley.

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