TWO of Town's senior squad are ready to return as manager Peter Jackson savours two knockout assignments next week.
Captain Rob Edwards (hamstring) and wingman John Thorrington (ankle) are ready to resume full training after long lay-offs.
It's a massive boost ahead of Tuesday's LDV Vans Trophy trip to Carlisle (7.45) and for tomorrow week's FA Cup first-round tie at Accrington Stanley (1.00).
Jackson is already hoping that both players can figure in Wednesday's Reserve match against Barnsley at Oakwell (2.00) in the Pontin's Holidays Premier Division.
"It is great to have Rob and John stepping up their training and I'm hoping they'll be able to play at least some part in Wednesday's Reserve game," said Jackson today, before leaving for the important League clash against Scunthorpe at Glanford Park.
"I was delighted with how both of them were playing before they got injured and it's brilliant to have them on the way back, but they both know they will have to fight their way back into the first team line-up."
Thorrington hasn't played since August 25, while Edwards' last match was September 20.
Jackson, meanwhile, has taken time out to view Accrington's facilities for the televised tie. They are a club which has been on the up with two promotions and four cup wins in the last five years," he said.
"The facilities behind the scenes are obviously not what we are used to, but the pitch is good and it's not a tight ground, so there will be space for us to play.
"We will have to roll our sleeves up, that's for sure, and there's certainly a lot of interest over there in the tie because fans were queueing down the street when the tickets went on sale."
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