Mansfield Town striker Craig Davies is close to a return to first-team action after making an appearance for the reserves.
The forward has suffered from several injuries since signing at Field Mill from Oldham but could soon be featuring in the senior side following a battle with an ankle problem.
The former Oxford United, Wolves and Chesterfield striker has not made an appearance for the Stags since 04 December last year which just highlights the nightmare he has been through since arriving at the Nottinghamshire club.
Before the start of the reserve game, Mansfield manager John Dempster said: “It’s a huge day for as he’s been out for such a long time. With the physical and mental challenges he’s had to go through, to get to this stage, it’s been tough for Davo.
“He has slowly been improving from a fitness point of view. You can see his feet quickening up in training.
“If he comes through today we want to build him up slowly, probably 15 minutes at a time, to eventually get a couple of 90 minutes under his belt when he would then come back into contention for the first team.
“I would say we are still on course for a Christmas return if he comes through as we’d hope.”
Meanwhile, it was not such good news for Danny Rose. The striker had to come off after himself coming on as sub against Macclesfield and scan have revealed a grade two hamstring tear.
The 25-year-old has scored eight goals this season and Dempster acknowledged he will be a big loss.
“Danny is going to be out for three to four weeks with a grade two hamstring strain and he will be a massive miss,” he said.
“Last season he had some shocking luck. But he started this season like a house on fire and has been brilliant on and off the pitch for us.
“I feel for Danny. He was very upset after the game – visibly upset.
“But three to four weeks goes very quickly in football, though it will probably seem like a lifetime to him, and it will be a massive boost for myself and the squad when Danny is back.
“As you can imagine we’re very disappointed and so is Danny, but he is a good healer – we saw that with his ankle – so we are hoping it’s three weeks rather than four. The sooner he is back the better.”
Mansfield face a difficult trip to League Two leaders Swindon Town at the weekend and will also be without Hayden White while both Otis Khan and Neal Bishop are doubtful.