Laursen confident of comeback

The 28-year-old barely featured last season and is now preparing to travel to the United States to see a specialist to find out if surgery will be needed. "I' determined to prove I’m a good player," Laursen said, "but I'm not putting any timescale on when I return. It all depends what the surgeon says. I want to show what I'm capable of."

And Laursen believes he is well-suited to life in the Premiership. "The injury has been particularly annoying because I believe I can be a big success in England," he continued. "The way I play is suited to English football, being good in the air and physically strong."

Tubbs does not apparently share the player's confidence, and bolstered his defence with the signing of Wilfred Bouma from PSV Eindhoven last week.