BLACKBURN Rovers defender Dominic Matteo is ready to hit the comeback trail after two months out with an ankle injury.

The former Leeds United player, who was Rovers' first choice left-back at the beginning of the season, has not played since he got injured in the derby draw with Bolton on September 11.

But the 31-year-old is now back in full training again and he could be ready for a first team return in the next couple of weeks.

Ideally, Rovers boss Mark Hughes would have liked to have given Matteo a run-out in the reserves before pitching him back into the fray at Premiership level.

That may still happen, but Glyn Hodges' second string are not in action again for another three weeks, by which point Matteo should be itching for a taste of the action.

However, the one-time Scotland international faces a battle to win back his first team place as the rejuvenated Michael Gray has performed well in his absence.

Nevertheless, Matteo's return will be a boost for Hughes as Rovers prepare for what is likely to be a hectic Christmas schedule.

Rovers already face the prospect of playing six Premiership games in the month of December and that burden will increase if Hughes' side progress in the Carling Cup.