VERSATILE Danny Schofield joined in his first full Town training session of pre-season today.
The 23-year-old wideman has been recovering from hernia surgery and is now ready to link up with Peter Jackson's senior squad.
Schofield missed two and a half months of last season because of injury, making 28 starts and six substitute appearances which yielded only two goals.
Jackson is hoping Schofield will return to his best form as Town plot a potential promotion challenge from Division III, but it may be too early for the former Brodsworth player (a Jackson signing first time around) to play in Saturday's friendly against Halifax at The Shay (3.00).
"Danny has been working well with Lee Martin (the physio) and he is now back on the training ground with the full squad, which is great news," said Jackson today.
"He is ready to step things up and, hopefully, he is going to be an important part of the squad this season.
"We are going to need goals from all areas of the team this time and Danny is certainly capable of weighing in with his fair share.
"When he is fit and on form, he's a very talented player and a good asset to the team and, hopefully, Danny can now put his injury problems behind him and concentrate on what's coming up."
Jackson continues to target further signings, even though Ian Hughes, Steve Yates, Lee Fowler, Liam Eves and Gus Uhlenbeek continue to train at Storthes Hall.
"We still need to strengthen, although it's encouraging to note that Nat Brown is now over the knee problem which kept him out against Emley and that Nathan Clarke is only a couple of weeks away from joining in," explained Jackson.
"Under supervision from Lee Martin, Clarkey is stepping things up and I'm told he is coming on leaps and bounds, which is fantastic news for me.
"We all know what a talented defender Nathan is and, after a nightmare time for his last season, it will be great to get him back and involved again."
As a precaution, Jackson did not include Rob Edwards or latest arrival Tony Carss in today's training workout.
Former Oldham favourite Carss went off at half time in the 2-0 win against Wakefield and Emley suffering a thigh strain, while Edwards was replaced early in the second half because of a minor Achilles problem.
"There is no point pushing anyone at this stage just for the sake of it," said the manager.
"If Robbie and Tony aren't fit for Saturday at Halifax then they won't play. There will be plenty of other chances for them."
