Birmingham City defender Will Packwood is on the mend from his horrific leg break.
Next week the American under-20 international should be able to throw away his crutches and move to the next phase of his rehabilitation.
Packwood broke his tibia and fibula in four places when falling awkwardly on his left leg after going up for a header in Blues’ draw at Leeds in the FA Cup on January 5.
He has had three rounds of surgery, including one bout in theatre last week when specialists checked on how the bones were mending.
“It’s progressing really well,” Packwood said. “Everyone is really pleased with the way the bones are coming together. They are healing well.
“I’ve been on two crutches – no weight-bearing allowed – for probably two months, then one crutch for another two or three weeks.
“Hopefully I will be off my final crutch next week and I will be walking around and strengthening the leg.”
At the time of the incident, it was predicted he would be out of action for at least nine months.
The 19-year-old, who made his Blues debut this season, is not putting any timescale on his return.
“These are things that are hard to guess,” he said.
“At any stage there’s always pitfalls you have to avoid. For me, it’s now about strengthening the leg and making sure when it’s time to run and kick and all that, I’m ready.
“The bone is still technically fractured. It’s coming together well but I can’t be jumping around on it for a little while.”
