JASON Wilcox believes he is only a couple of games away from being ready to challenge for a return to Premiership action with Blackburn Rovers.

The left winger completed another 90 minutes with the reserve team last night and gave the thumbs up.

"I felt great, no problems at all," he said.

"It took me a little while to get going again in the second half but I've scored one goal, helped in two others and had no trouble fitness-wise.

"I feel fine."

Wilcox hasn't played first team football since damaging cruciate ligaments against Arsenal at Ewood last March and he was sorely missed as Rovers' eventually successful challenge for the championship began to falter.

His comeback has been put on hold a couple of times, initially when he needed more knee surgery to remove some cysts.

But now it's full steam ahead and he has played three games for the reserves and one in the A team to confirm he is well on the road to full recovery.

The winger looked as good as new last night and even got himself a yellow card for a foul!

"If I am picking up a booking, then I must be all right," he laughed.

Rovers boss Ray Harford, who has had to overcome a series of injury setbacks this season, welcomed the sight of Wilcox looking like his old self last night. "He looked better than I thought he would. He's making good progress," said Harford.

Rovers won't put any dates on a potential comeback for the winger. As with others who have had long-term injuries, he will only be considered when all doubts over fitness have been satisfied.

But Wilcox is confident it won't be long before he is knocking on the door again.

He hopes to get another couple of games in before Rovers' next Premiership fixture against Bolton on Saturday week.

That would mean playing in the juniors on Saturday and the reserves next Wednesday.

Then player and club will be able to take stock of the situation.

When Alan Shearer had a similar problem, Rovers nursed him very carefully back into the side, with the striker named as a substitute for several games before eventually making a full comeback.

It would not be surprising if they adopted a similar policy with Wilcox.

But it will be a welcome boost when he is available again.

Harford has already had to count the likes of Graeme Le Saux and Ian Pearce out of his plans, while Chris Sutton's ankle ligament problems are still dogging him.

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