Damien Johnson is set to boost new Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish's plans with a return from injury.

The Blues captain has been troubled by lower back problems which have affected his hamstrings for the last six months, and has been limited to just one League Cup appearance this season.

However, on Monday he came through his second reserve game in as many weeks, and is now ready for a return to the first-team.

"I feel OK," the Northern Ireland international told the Birmingham Mail. "The training has been going well. I've given myself a lot more training this time.

"It feels good. I am just hoping to get through a few games now and put this behind me.

"The injections have helped, and there are a couple of other different things I've been doing, inserts in my shoes and a lot of strength and conditioning work for my legs.

"It's been a nightmare but hopefully everything comes together and it's going to keep me on the pitch. I'm no good to anybody when I'm on the treatment table.

"I did speak to David," he continued. "But no two situations are the same. He had major back surgery. That was one thing that was going to be a very, very last resort.

"Hopefully the injections and the other bits and pieces have done the trick."

He is also confident that he will not suffer another breakdown in the coming weeks.

"If it goes, it goes. Obviously there has been a problem and hopefully I've got to the bottom of it."