WITH a punishing schedule of matches on the horizon, Steve Jones is edging nearer to a return to action.

The 33 year-old has been out of action since the start of December with a niggling groin problem. "Steve's had to do a mini pre-season," said manager, Chris Hutchings. "He's worked hard with the physio in recent weeks and is now back with the first-team group and getting into the swing of things again.

"Any team will miss their leading scorer when he is out of action, but Steve was in particularly good form at the time of his injury, so we are keen to get him back.

"There is a possibility that he will be involved on Tuesday, but we will have to monitor him closely in the build-up to the game."

Meanwhile, skipper Mark Hughes has been laid low with an ankle injury that he sustained in our 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend.

"A scan has come back all-clear," added Hutchings. "He has not been involved in training this week, so it's a case of wait and see with regards to Tuesday's game."