JAMES McFadden has taken another significant step on the road to recovery from a serious knee injury.

McFadden, who damaged his cruciate ligament in training, has participated in a low-key match at Wast Hills.

Alex McLeish said he doubted the forward would be in Premier League action for Blues this season.

“But he has joined the young players in training,” said the manager.

“He had a game with them on Monday.

“It wasn’t a full-scale practice match, just a small-sided game.”

McLeish said nothing had yet been targeted in terms of a reserve team comeback.

“We just have to see if there is any reaction to what he has been doing, when he has been involved and back with the group again,” he added.

McLeish said he would be happy for McFadden to play for Scotland at the season’s end in the Carling Nations Cup against Ireland and Wales in Dublin but with a proviso.

“If there is no reaction. I would suspect the doctor would be cautious about it and we would look to try and have an agreement with Scotland,’’ said McLeish.

‘‘But, again, we don’t know if he is near at all as of yet.”

Meanwhile, Martin Jiranek (toe) remains sidelined for tonight’s match at Chelsea, who are set to be without Branislav Ivanovic due to a muscle strain.