MARTIN McINTOSH says Jon Worthington's return from injury can't come soon enough.

The Town captain is one of five players battling to be fit for tomorrow's crucial League I clash at Yeovil.

Worthington was a key player in Saturday's 3-2 home win over Swansea. But he suffered a recurrence of a groin injury and missed out on the New Year's Day trip to Doncaster, when Town crashed to a 3-0 defeat.

Red cards for Adnan Ahmed and striker Pawel Abbott mean both are suspended for the next three games.

And Mark Hudson, on the scoresheet when Town won 2-1 at Yeovil last season, is also battling a groin injury which has ruled him out of the last two games, meaning manager Peter Jackson has concerns about three engine-room specialists.

Jackson is hoping right-backs Andy Holdsworth (ankle) and Aaron Hardy (leg), and wideman Danny Schofield (illness) will be on the bus to Somerset.

And the availability of Worthington, who had surgery on a hernia earlier this season, would be another major plus.

Along with Andy Booth and the sidelined Nathan Clarke, McIntosh (pictured) has taken the armband in Worthington's absence this season, but firmly believes the 23-year-old is best man for the job.

"Worthy deserves a huge amount of credit for his recent performances," said McIntosh.

"He's played despite not being 100% fit, and done a great job. He had a crucial role when we drew with Tranmere and scored a terrific goal when we beat Swansea last Saturday.

"We certainly missed him at Doncaster and we all want to see him back in the side.

"For a young guy, he's a great captain, not just on the pitch but in training as well.

"I see him and work alongside him day in, day out, and the sheer drive he supplies, and demands from the rest of us, is brilliant."