EXETER City coach Andy Tillson has hailed the capture of former Bristol City midfielder David Noble as a ‘fantastic signing’.

The 27-year-old suffered a serious knee injury in the spring and has been undergoing rehabilitation with City’s medical team for the past four months.

City bosses are confident he will feature for the first team during the next two months.

And Tillson says the addition represents a big boost for the Coca-Cola League One club.

“It is a fantastic signing,” said Tillson.

“He has got a good character and is a real positive lad around the place.

“He looks as though he will be a good player and he has got a bit of quality about him.

“Paul (Tisdale) has watched him more than me when he was at Bristol City, but I know he scores goals from that position.

“He has had a knee injury but he is well over that now and he is on his way back. It is not set in stone but we think he might be back around the end of February.

“He is doing very well and, if he keeps progressing the way he is, it won’t be too long before he is back playing.”

Noble started his career as a trainee at Arsenal and during his  four years with the Gunners he played 18 games on loan with Watford.

In 2003 he signed a short deal with West Ham but, after making just four appearances for the Hammers, he moved on to Boston United at the start of 2004.

During two years with the then-League Two club he played 63 times and netted six goals.

Towards the end of his spell at York Street he went out on loan to Bristol City and signed a permanent deal in January 2006.

Noble made 95 appearances in a three-and-a-half-year spell at Ashton Gate, scoring nine goals including a superb volley in a Championship play-off semi-final win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in 2008.

During his time with the Robins he starred alongside current Exeter City players Alex Russell and Marcus Stewart.

But after losing his place in the City side last season, Yeovil Town manager Terry Skiverton snapped him up on loan.

After featuring in just two games for the Glovers, the midfielder suffered knee ligament damage in March and has been sidelined since.

Tisdale took a chance on helping him recovering from injury and is confident he  will be back in action soon.

He said: “David is now in full training with the squad and it is anticipated he will be fully fit within the next two months and ready to participate towards the end of this campaign.”

City’s reserve game against Southampton has been called off due to a frozen pitch.