Garry O’Connor scores as his recovery continues

Garry O’Connor grabbed a late winner as Birmingham beat a local select XI 3-2 in sweltering Hong Kong yesterday.

The Blues striker tapped home Nikola Zigic’s pass to complete a comeback win after they trailed 2-1 at half-time.

O’Connor was sidelined last season following a double hip operation but was handed a new six-month deal with an option of a further six months.

Manager Alex McLeish said: “Garry still has a little way to go.

“He’s come back from career-threatening injuries, so has a big battle ahead of him.

“But to score the winning goal with a really nice finish will give him a lot of confidence.”

Scott Dann and Craig Gardner were the other Birmingham scorers.

Across the pond, Kevin Davies and Tamir Cohen scored as BOLTON beat Charleston Battery 2-0.

Davies converted a cross from new boy Martin Petrov to put Bolton ahead and substitute Cohen doubled the lead early in the second half.

TOTTENHAM opened their pre-season tour of the States with a goalless draw at the San Jose Earthquakes.

Robbie Keane had a goal ruled out for offside.

Up in Oregon, MANCHESTER CITY felled the Portland Timbers 3-0. Stephen Ireland, Emmanuel Adebayor and Brazilian striker Jo were on target.

IPSWICH boss Roy Keane described the loss of central defender Damien Delaney as a “massive blow.”

Delaney will be out for at least three months after two operations on a thigh injury.

Keane, whose side lost 1-0 at PSV Eindhoven, said: “Damien is going to be a big miss for us at the start of the season.”