Aidan Davison is cautiously optimistic about returning for Colchester United's trip to Preston North End on Saturday, after playing 45 minutes for the club's reserve side.
The 39-year-old goalkeeper has been sidelined for the last month with a back injury.
But with first-choice shot-stopper Dean Gerken suspended for the U's trip to Deepdale in the Coca-Cola Championship, Davison is hoping to declare himself fit for the weekend.
And after playing the first half of the U's reserves' goal-less draw with Grays Athletic at Layer Road yesterday, he feels he is on the road to recovery.
He told the Gazette: "It went very well.
"I've only trained for a couple of days so it's a case of trying to get a good week's training under my belt and then taking it from there.
"It's never nice being injured but I've found this one very frustrating and very debilitating."
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