PRICE BOOST FOR ROVERS

Dickens said: "Jason is doing well and he is back in full training. It is just a case now of his fitness levels and when we consider him ready to play.

"I would imagine somewhere down the line, possibly two weeks that they will arrange a behind-closed-doors friendly."

The Welshman, who ruptured his Achilles tendon in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final at the Millennium Stadium on April 1, had been expected to be out until October at the earliest.

"Jason is about six weeks ahead of schedule," said Dickens, whose skills have also played an important role in Price's rehabilitation.

"He had good surgery in Cardiff and he has worked really hard."

Dickens says skipper Graeme Lee continues to make good progress.

He said: "Graeme is doing very well at the moment. He has been back in full training – though he still can't head a ball for another couple of weeks – and has suffered no reaction.

"I would have thought that if there was going to be any problems with the neck they would have shown up by now. Obviously the big test will come when he starts to head the ball. But if the neck is okay, then he will be ready to start playing again."

Dickens confirmed that James Coppinger could be out until the end of the month following a scan.

He said: "It could have been a lot worse because it was a nasty tackle and I was thinking that he could have been out for six weeks at the time, so we are happy to get away with three."

Owls

star Frankie Simek has been dubbed the best right back outside the Premier League by his manager Brian Laws.

He has won the club's first Player of the Month award of the campaign and has forced his way back into the USA squad for a clash with Brazil in Chicago on Sunday.

Laws said: "I think Frankie is the best right back outside the Premiership, by a mile."