DARIUS Vassell could be back in action by the middle of next month.
The Blues striker, who suffered knee ligament damage in the win over Arsenal, and has not played since, reckons he is around three or four weeks away from being fully fit and is firmly ahead of schedule.
"I have good people around me, and, whilst it has been disappointing to be injured, as it always is, I hope to be back in three or four weeks and scoring goals," he declared.
"You cannot rush an injury like I have had, because if you do so it will almost definitely go again when it comes to a tackle. It has been going well in the rehab and the gym.
"The specialist said I could be out at least six weeks and up to twelve weeks. I am pleased it will not be as long as the worst case scenario."
Last season's joint top scorer was speaking at the announcement of a é600,000 grant from Barclays and the Football Foundation for a new sports facility in Higher Openshaw, that will also come under the umbrella of the Blues' City in the Community Scheme.
Initiative
In addition to the grant, the site at St Peter's High School, which has been named `Sporting Edge' by the local community, will also receive kit and equipment worth é5,000 and a é45,000 development fund from Barclays to ensure it has a future.
The scheme is part of the é30million Barclays Spaces for Sports initiative to create long-lasting sports facilities across the country.
St Peter's and the local community will benefit from a new full-size astro-turf playing surface, where there is currently only wasteland and rubble, and the refurbishment of the existing sports hall.
As well as football there is now provision for basketball, lacrosse, rugby and netball.
"I think it's great that Barclays Spaces for Sports and the Football Foundation, in conjunction with City, is investing in this new facility," declared boss Stuart Pearce, who joined Vassell and Paul Dickov to launch the scheme.
"Local children will now have the opportunity to try new sports and participate in activities close to home. Hopefully, some of the next generation of Manchester City players will use the facilities."
Communities
Catherine Corby, Senior Sponsorship Manager for Barclays, added: "Barclays believes that sport has a key role to play in revitalising our communities, and projects like this one in Manchester are central to this. We hope that the site will provide local people with the opportunity to participate in and enjoy sport."
And there was strong backing, too, from the Football Foundation and the City Council.
"It is essential for the future of sport and the health of our nation that all communities have access to the kind of modern grassroots facilities that will be on display here," said Sir David Richards, Chairman of the Football Foundation and FA Premier League.
"This new development is set to offer a host of sporting opportunities."
Sean McGonigle, the Co- ordinator of East Manchester New Deal for Communities, concluded: "This new facility will meet an identified demand for sporting and community activities.
"The City Council and the New Deal for Communities initiative are delighted to be working in partnership with Barclays and Manchester City FC."
Have City missed Vassell? Have your say.
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Vassell has been missed no question, the squad has no pace,and sadly that is all Vassell has. He is not a goalscorer,and now with Cole gone(with whom he had formed a good patnership) it's hard to fathom where or with whom he should play. Why are our players so prone to injury?
Get the Vassell/Samaras partnership back together as soon as possible.
Two pieces of good news in one article?! Surely I'm still asleep? Glad Vas is on the mend and nice to see something being invested in the community too.
Now he's fit, he'll probably be sold or go out on loan. Welcome back DV.
Bet you a tenner he breaks down in training.
Very much so. He is not a prolific goal scorer but in his absence his pace has been missed up front. Hurry up and get back Vas.
YES WE HAVE BIG TIME AND WE KNOW IT. WE NEED TO BUY NOEL EDMONDS ON A GOOD DEAL
I am so happy Vassell is coming back to fitness, I mean we have missed his goals so badly - he is our only scoring hope. Wasn't Vassell the guy that played in all of our games during our shocking end of season collapse and failed to score a single goal other than one against his former team from a deflection? It is a pretty diabolical state of affairs to have to rely on Vassell to get you goals when he only scores 3 a season (still three times more than Dickov will ever manage) The only hope is that Vassell will provide pace and allow Carthorse Corradi to see more of the ball in dangerous areas.
Vassell may not be a scorer like Henry or Miroslav Klose but he is no doubt one of our most vital players. His work rate is just incredible, obviously he's got pace and strength and he's always a problem for the opponent. We're lucky to have him on board. The telepathy between him and Cole was just amazing last year.
considering the vassell injury, and the fact that from the eight that SP has brought in only corradi and dickov have had so far the opportunity to play regularly, there appears to be plenty waiting in the wings, plus considering cole and james dropped us in it, maybe the early calls for SP to go are some what harsh.
Vassell needs to improve his scoring ratio but he was one of the top players in the division for assists last year so he does have his uses.
I don't understand the criticism of Vassell, I really don't. Why destroy the fella? Ah, well, opinions and all that! He isn't prolific but he has proven over the years that he is a solid Premiership performer, and we need those. He has a good attitude, always works hard, has pace, and with better service he would have scored more.
yes! as soon as Vassel gets back into the team we will rocket up the league. Any team would miss his calibre, similar in comparison to gerrard and liverpool or henry and arsenal.
Come back quick!
Edski - you're a very sad individual and still avoiding my question - why?
EDSKI they are infair comments re Vassell, it was well documented that for the last 10 games or so last season he was playing with a hernia problem and as a result his form dipped dramatically. He wouldnt have been playing atall if it wasnt for our chronic injury problems at the time. The sooner we get Vas back the better.
vassell gets the green light but unfortuneately, the rest of the team have stopped at the red light. Vassells pace will certainly help, if not in scoring goals then perhaps creating goals. His partnership with cole went well last season, i think we will miss cole unless the strikers we have, can find the midas touch. why isn't sturridge being given a chance, he has scored goals and must be desperate for a chance at this level
The loss of Vassell was a massive blow we need his left foot,pace and work rate, a quality player who played on with injury last season.
Its good news for SP the more players at his disposal the better.However when Vassell is back up and running it would be great to see him show a bit more aggression particularly away from home where his performances haven't been good at all.Personally left side of midfield just isn't his position and Pearce might off load him in the summer.
Surely Vassell has to play on the right wing and drop Sinclair to the bench. His pace is what we need on the right flank to get passed a full back and put in a cross. He's not quite upto being a goal scorer but he'll bag a few playing in a supporting role
BENFICA - 0 Man UNITED - 1 the reds go marching on in EUROPE. MEANWHILE - - - MANCHESTER CITY GO MARCHING OUT OF THE MICKEY MOUSE CUP AT CHESTERFIELD ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha losersssss losers loserssssssss
Not to sure about missing Vassell but we have for sure missed Ali B, Berko,MVF (RIP) too name a few
Mickey mouse cup you were delighted to win last yr u sad rag
Spot on Chris in Northwich. Vass should be playing on the right where his pace may well cause a problem. Sinclair managed to rise to the standard of 'average' last season but I doubt that he is capable of improving on that. If we are to persist with Bernard and Sam up front then it might be an idea to put some crosses into the box for them!
Fred the happy red...happy O'shea is in midfield...happy for Ronaldo(?)happy for Mchael "Neil Webb" Carrick at 18 mill...happy at beng 700mill in debt...keep taking the pills,mate!
Interesting idea that Vassell playing on the right. In the meantime we would get more options to the left with Sinclair who can play on either flank. Vassell's pace is something worth using indeed on the right, however it remains to be seen whether he is comfortable there.