INFLUENTIAL Blues skipper Jason de Vos is set for a shock early return from a broken foot.The commanding Canadian is looking to be back in the heart of defence for the Blues' FA Cup tie at Watford Saturday after missing five games with a broken bone in a foot.

INFLUENTIAL Blues skipper Jason de Vos is set for a shock early return from a broken foot.

The commanding Canadian is looking to be back in the heart of defence for the Blues' FA Cup tie at Watford Saturday after missing five games with a broken bone in a foot.

De Vos was expected to be out for a minimum of six weeks after fracturing the metatarsal in training in mid January but could be back a fortnight earlier then scheduled.

Blues boss Jim Magilton has pencilled his skipper in for next week's cup match but insists he won't rush the player back, despite De Vos' eagerness to return.

Magilton said: “Jason is making a very speedy recovery and has a chance for next week.

“He will tell you he has a chance to play against Watford but we will take advice from the medical people before deciding. We don't want to rush him back too early.”

Magilton has also been impressed with De Vos' devotion to duty far beyond the norm, with the captain travelling to away games with the squad even though he has been injured.

He said: “Jason doesn't have to go on away trips but by doing so he has shown his absolute commitment to us, the players and he has been fantastic. His attitude towards getting back has been absolutely fantastic and he doing everything he possibly can to get fit.”