DEFENDER David Mirfin is just a week away from a return to training with Town.
The 20-year-old has been out almost a month since being carried off in the second match of the season suffering a torn hamstring.
Mirfin is now making excellent progress, however, and manager Peter Jackson believes he could soon be back in first-team contention.
"It's great to know Mirf is doing well and he'll be back in training next week," said Jackson, who will watch the Reserves in action over at Bradford City tonight (7.00).
"He is responding well to treatment, so fingers crossed everything will continue to go well."
Big striker Andy Booth (hamstring) is also on the verge of stepping up his training, but won't be risked at Valley Parade tonight.
John McAliskey and Junior Mendes will lead the attack, while Mark Hudson (groin) returns in midfield alongside Adnan Ahmed - playing the second match of his rehabilitation from knee trouble.
Jackson will be hoping Tom Clarke returns without injury from his call-up to the England Under 19 squad to face Belgium at Darlington tonight (7.30).
Town don't know if Clarke will play, but the 17-year-old will be keen to impress as England are preparing for the UEFA Friendly Tournament in October when they face Poland, Turkey and the Czech Republic.
"It's another feather in Tom's cap that he's got a call-up to the full squad and it will be good experience for him," said Jackson.
Reserves: Senior, Young, McCombe, Hardy, Lloyd, Fowler, Carss, Hudson, Ahmed, Mendes, McAliskey.
