GARY TAYLOR-FLETCHER could be in the frame when Town kick-off their FA Cup bid in a fortnight.
The eight-goal top scorer has been out since damaging knee ligaments during the 1-0 derby win at Bradford City on October 7.
Physio Lee Martin warned the former Lincoln man could be sidelined for six weeks.
But he has been able to remove a protective brace and has been running on a treadmill.
Now manager Peter Jackson, who will discover his side's cup opponents when the first-round draw is made at 5.30 today, hopes Taylor-Fletcher will be able to return to training next week.
Wednesday's friendly trip to play Bradford Park Avenue at the Horsfall Stadium could come too soon for the 25-year-old.
But, like fellow knee-injury victim David Mirfin, he will hope to figure in the Reserves' Pontin's Holidays League Central Division match at Port Vale on Monday week.
"We're hoping both Fletch and Mirf will be out on the training pitch next week," said Jackson, whose side were playing host to Brighton in the first of successive home League I games today (Scunthorpe visit on Saturday, November 4).
"It all depends on how they react to training, but we've pencilled in that Port Vale Reserve match as a target, and if they come through that, they could be in contention for the FA Cup first round."
In the next match after the cup-tie, Town go to Blackpool on Saturday, November 18.
"You're sure to miss players of the quality of these two, but at least they're on the way back now," added Jackson.
