STRIKER Freddie Sears says he is having to retrain both his legs and mind as he continues his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

The former Colchester United frontman is on the comeback trail - slowly but surely - after suffering the horrendous injury during February's East Anglian derby at Norwich City.

He may not play again this year but has a date pencilled in for his return.

“I’m feeling good," he told the Ipswich website.

"It’s good to be back in and around the boys.

"The surgery is done now so I’m doing my rehab.

"It’s a slow and steady process but I’m trying to get back walking and get back on the bike.

“You have to retrain the legs and retrain the mind.

"You probably take for granted how easy walking is and at the minute I’m doing a lot in the gym trying to get my walking pattern back.

“I’m feeling better every day, though.

"Finding out the news a few days after the Norwich game was tough, especially knowing it’s going to be a long road back.

“Then I had to wait for the surgery but that went well so that was positive.

"It’s not an easy injury to put right and there’s a long recovery so it’s mentally tough and I’m looking forward to getting back and feeling the rewards from my hard work.

“I’m just going to see how it goes and take it step by step.

"I’ll see how I’m feeling along the way but it’s been good so far so we’ll see what the next few months bring.”

Town head to fellow strugglers Bolton Wanders on Saturday.

At one point earlier in the week the fixture was in doubt after the Safety Advisory Group (SAG), who are responsible for issuing the general safety certificate at the University of Bolton Stadium, said the club cannot "demonstrate that the stadium can deliver the matchday operation to the standard required".

However, the SAG subsequently lifted the prohibition notice "following assurances from the club”.