We’ll take our time with Vassell’s comeback

GARRY Monk insists Birmingham City will have to be patient with Isaac Vassell as he continues his comeback from long-term injury.

The 25-year-old has resumed training with the first team after more than 12 months on the sidelines.

Vassell suffered knee ligament damage in the Second City derby in October last year and then suffered a setback with a hip complaint in pre-season.

But he has worked his way back and is nearing a welcome return to action where he will challenge Lukas Jutkiewicz and Che Adams for game-time.

However, Monk says he will not be tempted to make a short-termist decision.

“What we have got to understand is as much as we all want him back – and could do with him back – we have got to let him breathe a little bit,” said the Blues boss.

“With those type of injuries and that type of time out, you have got to let him adapt.

“Even when he came to the club it was not like he had a long period to get used to this level physically or mentally. It happened quite quickly.

“We have to be really good with him. We can’t expect too much of him too soon, especially now it’s a totally different method of training and different physicality we are demanding from these players.

“As you would expect from any management team, we have to see where he is at, but he is doing really, really well.

“He is hitting his markers where he should be – but it’s not like he is going to come back, train for two or three weeks, play a couple of games and be ready.

“We have got to make sure it’s on a timescale that suits him, as well as pushing him. We will see how that goes.”

Vassell joined Blues from Luton for £1 million in August 2017 and immediately made an impact. He worked his way into the starting XI and scored the winner against Sheffield Wednesday.

After more than a year out, Monk will take a very cautious approach.

“It’s a case of getting him back into the first-team environment, taper it, get him in and out – but then see how it progresses from there,’’ he added. “As much as we need him, and are looking forward to having him back, we should not be expecting too much of him either.”