WHILE Blues skipper Jason De Vos will miss the rest of this campaign he plans to be back and raring to go in time for the beginning of pre-season training.

By Derek Davis

WHILE Blues skipper Jason De Vos will miss the rest of this campaign he plans to be back and raring to go in time for the beginning of pre-season training.

The Canadian was today recovering from an operation to correct a fractured metatarsal that did not heal properly the first time. He is expected to be out for eight weeks.

Blues boss Jim Magilton last night explained why the decision was taken to bring the operation forward to before the end of the season with his captain ruled out for the remaining three fixtures of the campaign.

He said: “Jason will need eight weeks recovery time so we decided it would be better for him to have it now so he could be back in time for the full pre-season, rather than wait until the end of this season and play catch-up.”

Richard Naylor is starting his rehabilitation from a severely bruised bone in a foot and was yesterday back in light training after a two-week family break.

Sylvain Legwinski is recovering from his broken foot at home in London but also intends to be back to join his team-mates when they resume training in the summer.

De Vos's operation means Town are today sweating on an appeal against Alex Bruce's red card on Saturday with the FA hearing the case this afternoon. Derby's Stephen Bywater is also appealing but if the players fail then each will get at least a three-match ban and will miss the remainder of this season.

Magilton has decided not to appeal his two-match ban and fine and will have to watch the games at Leeds and at home against Cardiff from the stands.

He said: “I still feel I have been harshly dealt with, especially as it was my first time and the referee did not have the best of nights, but I have decided just to take it on the chin and use it as a learning experience.”