Caolan has sights on the run-in

CAOLAN Boyd-Munce has returned to first-team training with Blues ahead of the Good Friday visit from Swansea.

The midfielder has not played since injuring his thigh in November, shortly after he had made his full Championship debut against Bournemouth. Aitor Karanka handed him what was a proud if unenviable task of playing left-back against the Cherries and the rampant David Brooks and, during his seven months at the club, was a fan of the 21-year-old’s ability. As was Karanka’s predecessor Pep Clotet, who gave him his first four appearances last season, before the caretaking duo of

Steve Spooner and Craig Gardner handed him four more.

But just when he looked like he might be making his breakthrough this term, injury struck. However, he returned to training at the end of last week and will be looking to impress

Lee Bowyer in his favoured central midfield position.

The new head coach has favoured the energy of Gary Gardner, Ivan Sunjic and Rekeem Harper in his two games so far, of which Boyd-Munce has plenty, as well as good technical ability. However, Alen Halilovic, Mikel San Jose and Adam Clayton have all played games in the middle of the park this season.

Rookie goalkeeper Zach Jeacock, who actually started the Championship season in the win over Brentford, is also back training with the first team following his ankle injury.

And Blues have no worries over Jeremie Bela’s situation. The winger was called up by the Angola squad for their matches against Gambia and Gabon but it was decided he would not make the trip given the quarantine implications.

Bela has been a key player all season but has assumed even greater responsibility now

Bowyer has opted to play Lukas Jutkiewicz up front and put the emphasis on his team-mates to supply the 31-year-old with crosses.

Jon Toral is also fit and training with the main group but has not been selected for the matchday squad for either Reading or Watford, or even the Under-23s game, which featured nine senior players and produced a 2-1 victory over Cardiff a week ago.