The 31 year-old Welshman, who was born near Cardiff, featured in only one of the club's two warm-up games and has missed both games since the season started.

Physio John Dickens said the player was given a cortisone injection last week after he said the ankle was feeling uncomfortable.

He was due back in full training today.

"If he comes through okay Thursday and Friday, and Sean (O'Driscoll) things that he is fit enough, he could come into contention," said Dickens.

"He has worked hard in training and his fitness isn't bad."

Summer signing Darren Byfield could be ready to resume full training in around a week's time following his hernia operation a fortnight today.

"He is doing some running and doing some ball work," said Dickens.

"He hadn't done much pre-season work before he joined us and he only managed one session before being injured.

"We are doing some fitness work with him but it depends what he looks like when he starts training.

"But I would probably need a week or two before he is firing on all cylinders.

Centre-back Gordon Greer has discarded his crutches following his recent hip operation and has started line training.

But due to the fact that he did little pre-season work before surgery, he is not expected to be pushing for a first-team place before late next month.

Utility man Sean McDaid, who hasn't played since dislocating a knee in a behind closed doors practice game late last season, is anxiously awaiting the results of a scan.

Said Dickens: "Sean has had a bit of a reaction and he has got some swelling on his knee since we stepped his training up. So we have scaled back his training and we took him for a scan today and we are waiting for the specialist's report."

Roller-coaster start for Rovers: Read it in the Green 'Un - out Saturday

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