Birmingham City: Chris Hughton pleased with Pablo Ibanez

Oct 23 2011 by Gregg Evans, Sunday Mercury

CHRIS Hughton reckons in-form defender Pablo Ibanez could be back in training next week despite his horrific injury scare.

The Spanish centre-half has been inspirational in recent games but was knocked unconscious in Blues’ win over FC Brugge on Thursday. Hughton admitted he feared the worst when he watched the ex-Albion man land on his head after suffering a heavy blow to his cheek late in the Europa League tie.

As a result Pablo will definitely miss today’s game at Championship basement boys Bristol City but the Blues boss expects him to be back to normal and continue progressing at his new club in the coming few days.

“Pablo was unconscious for a time on the pitch so that’s always a very worrying time for us,” he said.

“But as soon as we saw some movement in him that alleviated it.

“It’s testament to our medical staff who were on the case quickly and did all of the right things.

“He was around in the changing room after, he flew back with us, but he wasn’t in on Friday because he needed to rest a day.

“He will be fine but the problem is he took a fairly hefty whack which certainly keeps him out of today for medical reasons.

“I hope it will just be this weekend that he’s out for but we’ll have to see how he is over the next couple of days.

“Sometimes when you take such a hefty knock it can take a few days to be fully aware and functional again but we’re hopeful he will be.”

Expert medical treatment from Blues physio George Foster and doctor Mike Stone ensured Pablo got swift attention after the injury.

His team-mates’ reactions painted a clear picture that the 30-year-old would be facing a long spell on the sidelines but it turned out to just be concussion.

The news is a huge boost to Hughton because the defender has been a vital part of Blues’ recent run.

He was signed from neighbours Albion on transfer deadline day and arrived at St Andrew’s with little match fitness.

His capture was seen as a big coup for the club, who had lost a number of key performers over the summer, but there was still a degree of uncertainty about his talent.