TOWN striker Pawel Abbott returned to full training today with his boss Peter Jackson setting a challenge to both player and team.
The Galpharm chief wants his fit-again frontman to force his way into the starting line-up and his side to get the festive fixture rush off to a flying start by winning at Chesterfield on Saturday.
The Saltergate showdown is the first of four games in 10 days, with home clashes against Tranmere (Boxing Day) and Swansea (Saturday week) coming before the New Year's Day trip to Doncaster's brand new Keepmoat Stadium.
Christmas, with its potential points feast, is traditionally the time when promotion bids can be made or ruined.
And even though his side haven't won in seven League I games and will drop to 18th in the table if Northampton win at home to Leyton Orient tonight, Jackson insists a promotion challenge can be rekindled.
His optimism comes from a much better display in Saturday's 1-1 home draw with Northampton, and he admitted: "The challenge now is to go to Chesterfield and take up where we left off.
"It's never easy there - although we had a good 4-2 win in the Carling Cup last season, we've lost both times in the league in my time as manager.
"But even though we couldn't force a win against Northampton, the number of chances we created was very encouraging, and if we do that again on Saturday, there's every chance of getting that victory."
Abbott, who has had surgery on a double hernia, last figured in the 3-0 home defeat by Brighton in October.
And Jackson, who has ex-Chesterfield midfielder Chris Brandon and defender Martin McIntosh back after bans and is confident skipper Jon Worthington will be over his groin injury by Saturday, said: "Pav can still make a big impact for us this season."
