VASSELL LEAVES INJURY ORDEAL BEHIND
ISAAC Vassell is determined to return for pre-season as he battles back from the most serious injury of his burgeoning career.
The Blues striker admits the road back from ruptured knee ligaments is a long one but it’s a challenge he is ready to face.
Vassell, a £1million summer signing from Luton, had made an excellent start to his St Andrew’s career when he was struck down in the draw with Villa in October.
Since then he’s put the incident to the back of his mind and is concentrating on getting better.
“I remember it being quite painful and just not a good experience,” Vassell said.
“I am staying positive and looking ahead, there is no negativity in me at the moment.
“I am in the strengthening phase, I am working on building my leg muscles back and on my stability with a lot of balance work and stuff.
“I am keeping my head right, doing the right things and working hard on getting back and being in the team.
“There is still a lot of hard work to come, it’s going to be a long road for me but I am willing to put in the work and I can’t wait to get back to playing football.
“The guideline at the moment is I have been told to aim for pre-season next season and if there is anything before that, that would be a bonus.”
Often while the route to physical recovery is relatively straightforward, the psychological impact can be as difficult.
But the 24-year-old says he has had no problems on that front.
“Some days it’s a bit boring and a bit meticulous, other days I enjoy it,” he continued.
“Every week there is a bit of a development with my knee, or it’s getting better, I can see it and feel I am getting stronger and feel like I am pushing and doing different things.
“A massive thanks to the medical staff because they are keeping me doing different things, it’s not always just the same old – repeat, repeat.
“Every week there is something different for me to do and I enjoy a challenge personally.
“I love it here, all the lads are ‘lege’ – we all get on well, there is a good team spirit. It’s a good dressing room to be in.”
Vassell was speaking at an event hosted by Birmingham City’s community trust at the indoor dome at Wast Hills where he chatted to youngsters and signed autographs at the Under-11 EFL Cup six-a-side tournament.
“I played in loads of tournaments when I was little and it’s nice for kids to meet someone who is in the game and who can give them some pointers in what to do,’’ he added.
“If any of the kids can take some inspiration or anything from this it’s good for them, hopefully it will help them develop their career.”
Meanwhile, Maikel Kieftenbeld will remain a Birmingham City player having signed a new contract.
The Dutch midfielder has agreed a new two-year deal, with a year’s option which could keep him at the club until 2021.
In an otherwise frustrating transfer window, the move is recognition of the fact the 27-year-old has become a key part of Cotterill’s team.
It also ends any possibility of him moving on this month – a remarkable turnaround after the last transfer window.
Blues had actually sold Kieftenbeld to Derby on the final day of the summer window only to for the transfer to break down because of a clerical error. He returned to the club and has played every game since Cotterill took charge.
He has made 101 starts for Blues and eight substitute appearances, scoring five times.
The news will be as welcome to Kieftenbeld as it is to fans given the fact his current deal was due to expire in the summer. He discussed in November when he expressed his hope the issue would be resolved this month.
“I always enjoyed playing for this club, I think I have showed it on the pitch, I gave my all in every game.”