Birmingham City's Garry O'Connor set to return after long time out

Mar 10 2009 by Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

GARRY O’Connor is set to return to the fray for Blues at Barnsley tonight.

O’Connor is in line to be among the substitutes after a long-term groin injury.

He has yet to play a reserve game since surgery in October, but with Marcus Bent out for three to four weeks due to a hamstring tear, he has been pressed into duty again.

“I’m delighted to have him back,” said manager Alex McLeish. “It’s been a long, long time for the big fella.

“He’s still got to find some sharpness of course. But I think he’s getting through the period where there’s a wee bit of tentativeness in his approach to things, kicking right through the ball.

“He’s started to do that in training now and he’s looking better with each touch he gets.