Alex McLeish, the Birmingham City manager, says he will resist the temptation to rush James McFadden back from injury.

The former Scotland manager is refusing to put a timescale on when the striker could return after the player underwent keyhole surgery on his knee a fortnight ago.

McFadden, who has scored four goals in his past five games, could be back for the visit of his former club Everton on Saturday, although McLeish is being especially cautious after Olivier Kapo suffered a setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury.

McLeish said: "Is McFadden on course for the Everton game? I don't like to say that anyone is on course for a game. I'd rather just let them heal and wait and see.

"James is supposed to be on course for the Everton game but he is still doing some rehabilitation on his knee and there is still a bit of tenderness there.

"I am not going to start saying he will be ready. It would be great to get him back because he will definitely make us stronger. But I can't force the issue and cause problems for the long term."

McFadden, who arrived from Everton £5 million in January, had formed a formidable partnership with Mikael Forssell before he was forced to miss the past three games against Reading, Manchester City and Wigan.

Kapo, the Birmingham midfield player, had also begun to show glimpses of his capabilities before he limped out off against Arsenal – the game in which Eduardo suffered his horrific leg injury.

McLeish added: "We are hopeful Kapo comes back ready to train today [Monday]. He has had some irritation in his hamstring and his return to training has been delayed for a week.

"We thought he might have made the Wigan game on Saturday and it never happened. That is why I am loathe to say James will be ready for the Everton game."