JASON Wilcox is on his way back - and the Blackburn Rovers winger is hoping he might even be able to figure in one of the next two home matches against Leeds or Derby.

Ruled out of the pre-season friendlies, Wilcox had minor knee surgery to clear up a problem and is now buzzing and eager to get back in action.

And he confirmed that the injury had nothing at all to do with the cruciate ligament surgery he had last year.

"I want to start playing again as soon as possible," said the winger. "And I don't think I am far off at all.

"I'm doing everything I can, cycling, swimming, exercises and I'm just waiting for the go-ahead to start running again.

"The funny thing is that I wouldn't have known there was anything wrong if it hadn't been for some fluid on my knee. There was no pain at all. That's why I was convinced it was something and nothing."

Just in case, Wilcox went to Cambridge to see top specialist David Dandy, who had carried out his cruciate ligament operation. "He went into the knee and told me there is nothing wrong with the ligament. In fact, he said it's brilliant," added Wilcox. A little bit of loose gristle, believed to be causing the fluid, was removed with Mr Dandy's verdict that the player would be back in action soon.

"As far as I am concerned, it's good that there is a break for the international matches," he added.

"It gives me a little more time to recover and I haven't written off my chances of challenging for a place in the squad for the home games coming up."

Meanwhile, although Scotland manager Craig Brown has lost the services of Ewood midfielder Billy McKinlay through injury, he is confident that Rovers defender Colin Hendry will be fit for Saturday's opening World Cup qualifier in Austria.

Hendry shrugged off the discomfort of a groin injury to play a key role in the 2-2 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

"I rate Colin as a minor doubt and have asked him to have a scan as a precaution and then join the squad," said Brown.

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