Aaron Downes is making steady progress in his recovery from a second long-term injury.
Defender making progress after serious knee injury
Chesterfield defender Aaron Downes is making steady progress as he continues to recover from a second long-term injury in the space of a year.
The Australian suffered cruciate ligament damage in his knee for the second time in 10 months during the Spireites' 2-1 win at Port Vale back in February.
Since then the 25-year-old has had to watch from the sidelines as his team-mates missed out on the play-offs last season and then started this term in sublime fashion at their new b2net Stadium.
He told
skysports.com that he hopes to make his first appearance in the new stadium in early 2011.
"I've had one or two little hiccups, but at present everything seems to be going OK," he said.
Good progress
"I'm still two to three months away from being back playing, but I've been able to join in with a little bit of light training with lads recently, which is good progress.
"In a couple of weeks I am hoping to be able to join in full training too, so it is coming along well at the moment.
"Obviously, I have had this type of injury before, so as far as this injury goes I am quite experienced. I kind of know what to expect because I have come back from it before.
"When I came back from it last time I learned the real difference between being physically fit and match fit because I felt like a fish out of water. I'm really looking forward to getting back onto the pitch though.
"The boys have been doing really well this season and it will be tough for me to get into the side once I am ready for a return, but it could be a good year for us."
