PAWEL ABBOTT'S frustration looks set to continue for at least another week.

The 24-year-old is Town's top scorer with 13 goals, but he hasn't started in six games.

Abbott lost his place in the wake of David Graham's arrival on loan from Championship Sheffield Wednesday and a back injury has hampered his bid to prove he deserves to return to the starting XI.

Despite intensive treatment from physio Lee Martin, the former Preston player still hasn't returned to training. He last figured as a late substitute in the 2-2 League I draw with Doncaster at the Galpharm.

And having sat out Friday's 3-1 defeat at Hartlepool, he looks unlikely to figure at home to Rotherham on Saturday.

Manager Peter Jackson, who watched cash-strapped Rotherham draw 0-0 at Blackpool on Saturday, would like Abbott to have a Reserve run-out before considering him for first-team action. The next Pontin's League Division I Central fixture isn't until a week tomorrow, when Stoke visit.

"It's been a frustrating time for Pav, and it looks as though he'll have to be patient for a little while longer," said Jackson, who has hailed the Graham-Andy Booth partnership.

"He looked lively in the 10 minutes he played against Doncaster, but then the back problem flared up again."

Abbott has treatment-room company in the shape of Tom Clarke, who is still troubled by an ankle injury from training.

While sources in the North-East suggest Sunderland caretaker manager Kevin Ball is considering recalling on-loan left-back Dan Smith, Jackson says he has heard nothing from the Wearside club.

Smith, left out at Hartlepool in favour of Danny Adams, finishes his second month on loan after Saturday's game.