Richard Naylor is on target to return to pre-season training after making rapid progress following neck surgery.

The 31-year-old defender was hindered by a slipped disc in his neck last season that saw him sidelined for two months.

He returned to action in January but the problem was aggravated in Town's 4-1 defeatat Barnsley in March and resulted in an operation.

Bam Bam had been pencilled in for a return to pre-season training in July and Town physio Matt Byard is confident he will take part in Blues' early preparations for the new campaign.

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"Richard is making exceptional progress," Matt told the Club website.

"He is working very hard on his recovery and if he continues to improve as he is, then he should be back for the start of pre-season with the other first-team players."