Delph injured his ankle against Liverpool on the final day of last season but he's been working hard at the training ground to get back to full fitness.
And the former Leeds United midfielder knows he has it all to do if he wants to earn a permanent place in the first team under McLeish
He told the club's official website: "I injured the ligament in between the fibula and tibia, which attaches them together.
"I managed to tear that in the last game of the season. I got pushed in the back and got my studs caught and twisted and just opened up a few of the joints.
"I'm three or four weeks into it now, so I think another three to four weeks and I should be fine.
"It will probably be the second or third week in July. I'll still be able to run so I'll be doing my fitness, I just won't be able to work with the boys.
"It's hard for me to stop even if I'm just in the gym. With my knee injury from before, I can't afford to have a break on my legs for too long.
"So I had about a week off and then I was cracking on with my leg weights and biking and stuff like that.
"Hopefully once I've overcome this injury and got a few of the pre-season games in I'll be sharp and the same as I was before I did my knee. Hopefully I can get playing and get back to my old ways.
"Personally for me, I wasn't really fit last year and towards the end of the season a few of the boys were doing well so I wasn't complaining about not playing.
"I suppose with Nigel [Reo-Coker] going it does open the door but there are a lot of talented midfielders in our squad - both young and experienced pros.
"I think if I'm fit, playing a few games and getting used to my old ways then I think I could do a good job just like the other boys probably think they can as well."
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