Bolton defender Sam Ricketts believes he is heading in the right direction as he nears a first-team return.
Defender on the right path in recovery from Achilles injury
Bolton defender Sam Ricketts believes he is heading in the right direction as he nears a first-team return.
The Wales international has been undergoing rehabilitation since rupturing his Achilles back in February during the FA Cup win over Wigan.
But he played just over 60 minutes for Bolton's reserves in a 1-1 draw at Newcastle on Tuesday and takes encouragement after 10 months on the sidelines.
Ricketts told his club's
official website: "It was a good workout. The conditions weren't ideal, but for me personally it was about getting some minutes on the pitch and gauging my fitness.
No target
"It was nice to be back out there and to get 60 minutes of action is a real step in the right direction."
Manager Owen Coyle will likely be desperate to welcome back Ricketts given Bolton's precarious position at the bottom of the Premier League.
But the defender will not be rushing his return, as he said: "Obviously I want to get back into that first team, but this is a big step in the right direction.
"I'm capable of playing anywhere across the back four and I'll play anywhere the gaffer asks me to.
"I don't have a particular game I'm targeting for a first-team return, we'll just see how it goes."
