Civelli's Christmas present for Town

Elvin King

THE Blues have been blessed with some good news withleft-sided midfielder Luciano Civelli confirming that he hopes to be back in action before Christmas.

The Argentinean has been out of action since March after damaging cruciate and medial knee ligaments, and the original diagnosis was nine months before he could play again.

“The surgeon said that I would be out for maybe nine months and that is around Christmas, but I'm hoping to be back before then,” said the player who was signed from Atletic Banfield for �1.1million last January and impressed in his eight Ipswich appearances.

“The injury was very hard to take at first. It's the first time I have been out for so long but you get a lift each time you get to the next stage.

“I'm waiting to see the specialist; then hopefully I can move on again.

“I'm getting there but I know there's still a lot more work to do.”

Former England defender Sol Campbell is still uncertain whether he will be allowed to play again before the transfer window re-opens in January.

Campbell, 35, has called in players' union chief Gordon Taylor after allegedly being threatened with a five-year gagging order by former club Notts County.

The League Two club are refusing to release Campbell's registration so he can sign for another club until an agreement is reached on a 'statement of departure'.

“We are trying to agree a form of words, a statement that both sides are prepared to accept, that will enable Notts County to release Sol from his contract, release his registration and let him make his appeal to the Premier League to find another club before or during the January transfer window,” said Taylor.

Ipswich Town manager Roy Keane did not rule out a move for Campbell when questioned last month.

The player has been training with former club Arsenal, but Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed he will not be signing him.

West Brom have been linked with the central defender.