ANTHONY Wilson is closing in on a return to full training although it is still not clear when the Barrow striker will be in contention to make his first-team comeback.

Wilson underwent knee cartilage surgery in July – his third such operation within the space of a year – and has therefore not featured for AFC this season.

But after enjoying a good week on the rehabilitation front he has made great strides towards making his latest comeback.

AFC boss Darren Edmondson said: “When you’ve had operations, like Ant has, then you’re always going to feel discomfort.

“But he’s now just had the best week he’s had for months. He’s doing some running, he’s up to full speed in his running.

“So within two weeks the scenario has kind of turned around in a positive way because Ant is learning to deal with that kind of ache and pain that’s coming and learning to manage it himself, and we’re really positive now.

“He’ll be very close to full training by the end of next week.

“He’s up to the stage now where he’s approaching the end of nine weeks, and we were looking for him to be getting involved with a football by 10 weeks. So next week is a big week.

“There will be a lot of hard work for him – some lung-busting runs, some runs that will test his knee and his body in general.

“He’s worked so hard in the gym and now he’s out in the fresh air he feels a lot better about himself.

“So hopefully there will be some positive news by next weekend.”

While Wilson should soon have a ball at his feet again, Edmondson can’t yet say when the former Alfreton attacker will once against be available for first-team duties.

He added: “It’s difficult to put a timescale on that because it’s been a long time.

“Dan Anderton (AFC’s head therapist) has done an unbelievable job and Paddy Maher (Barrow’s strength and conditioning coach) has taken over now in getting him strong and focussed in being positive with him and taking him the right way.

“Ant has had a good few days now, this week in training. And if we can get him running every day next week then we’ll slowly get him back into the football.

“So I don’t see it being it too far off before we can see him kicking a football and joining in with training in earnest.

“So that will be a huge bonus.”