Jinxed Chris Brandon has suffered yet another setback – with a tennis ball.

The midfielder, who is still waiting to kick a ball this season for City, has been back in training after recovering from his long-term ankle injury.

But his recovery took a jolt when he hurt muscles in his shoulders while doing some exercises at home.

“Chris felt a bit of tension in his shoulders after doing a load of weights,” said Stuart McCall.

“He did some rolling on a tennis ball for a little while to try to ease the problem and hurt the muscles. But his ankle is fine and he’s over the illness he was suffering.”

Brandon is desperate to get started for his home-town team and McCall remains confident that he will have a role to play in the promotion push.

“Chris came to see me and apologised for not being available but injuries happen,” said the City boss.

“He’s just got to concentrate on getting right. People forget what happened in September or October, they only remember the last month or so of the season.

“Chris might turn out to be our most important player. That’s what he has got to focus on.”

Brandon, who joined City from Huddersfield last summer, has not played since suffering the ankle injury in a reserve game at Scunthorpe in September.

“Of course he’s frustrated, because he’s desperate to do well for us, but he’s been out a long time and will need a month of football before he is back,” said McCall.

“He won’t be pushed until he is match-fit and ready to go. We’ve got to get him whatever games we can, whether it’s behind closed doors, youth matches – anything.”