NEW SIGNING Andy Sandell says he could ride in the Tour De France after all the bike work he has been putting in as he battles to be fit the for the start of the season.

The 26-year-old left back hasn’t featured at all for Wycombe during pre-season after his medical revealed a groin problem.

He has missed all of Blues’ warm-up matches and hasn’t taken part in any contact training yet as his Adams Park career has got off to a false start.

He flew back from his summer holiday early to pen a two-year deal with the Blues and it was then that he flagged up that he had been suffering with a groin complaint.

He said: “It’s the worst pre-season I’ve had in my life. It’s the first time I’ve been injured in pre-season and it could not have come at a worse time.

“I was excited about joining a new club and I wanted to get out there and impress the staff and the fans.

“But I have had to work on my own away from the lads and it has been very difficult. I have been doing lots of running and I could ride in the Tour De France with all the miles I have done on the bike.”

Although he hasn’t had any match practice yet, Sandell is hoping he could be ready to play a part in Blues’ Carling Cup tie at home to Millwall on Tuesday, August 10 although Waddock thinks the August 14 game at Stockport is a more realistic target.

l Left sided midfielder Ian Westlake would appear to be the favourite to deputise for Sandell until he is fit.

The former Ipswich and Leeds United midfielder has so far served all of his pre-season action in the left back slot and would appear to be being groomed for that slot pending Sandell’s return.