Hi there,

After an early run this season with the manager being able to announce a fully fit squad, we had the long term injury to Michael Leary, followed all too quickly by Kenny Gillet and Ismail Yakubu joining him in the treatment room. Here's an update for you on how the trio are doing:-

MICHAEL LEARY trained with the squad at the training ground today for the first time since late August and manager Paul Fairclough remarked on his "amazing progress".

Michael came through the session looking in great shape, but we must take into account the fact that he suffered a ruptured medial ligament in the game at Brentford and has been sidelined for seven weeks.

He set a target for his return as the first round of The FA Cup and, hopefully, with a return to training, games and eventual match fitness that could be attainable. He told me he was "feeling comfortable" after today's initial session.

Michael will be training with the other lads next week and getting stronger, but there are still hurdles for him to overcome such as getting over the barrier of facing tackles.

KENNY GILLET, who has been out of action since the visit to Chesterfield on September 22, has been keeping fit but we must await an x-ray next week to see if his fractured toe has healed. There's not too much you can do waiting for a fracture to heal but we are hopeful of positive news next week.

I am expecting skipper ISMAIL YAKUBU, out for the last two games, to be jogging again by next week. There's an extra special reason to get Ismail back in action ... he hasn't been on the losing side since he was given the captain's armband this season.

Physio MARK STEIN was talking to Dennis Signy on Thursday afternoon.