LEON Best is aiming for a January Rovers return after admitting being forced to watch the first three months of the campaign from the sidelines has been ‘killing him’.

Blackburn’s £3m summer signing from Newcastle United is back doing light running after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury back in pre-season and is ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation.

The 26-year-old, who has yet to kick a ball competitively for the club, knows there is still a long road to recovery ahead but is hopeful of making his long-awaited debut not long into the New Year.

He said: “Me, I am aiming for between January and February. That is what they are telling me. I will be pushing for the start of January. We will see, I would love to play on Saturday but obviously i don’t think I would be much help at the minute.

“I am glad to get the boots back on and get back running. Ever since my scars healed I was waiting to get outside. Now I am running and kicking a ball again, it is amazing, I cant wait to get back.

“It has been hard for me to not be training and joining in the banter. I feel like I am starting to get closer and being out is a step back.

“Even though I love watching all the games it kills me watching because I really want to be out there playing.”

Best revealed he could spend part of his recovery process at a specialists in Los Angeles as he bids to get back to action as soon as possible.

“You have to put the work in. I am so eager to get back, I would do everything right. I try and do too much sometimes,” he told Roversplayer.

“It is just over three months now and it has been a slow process but I am over halfway and just looking forward to getting back as soon as possible.

“The hardest thing is when they are giving you things and you can do it. You want to be given more. You have to slow yourself down.

“There is a great bunch of lads here and everyone has put an arm around me. Here and at home is important, you have to be happy. I am happy, I have a great family and I enjoy coming into work even though I’m not training or playing like I want to be.”

Best meanwhile has been left cheering his new team mates on from the sidelines and believes the improved atmosphere around the club in recent weeks can only help their promotion drive.

He said: “We have been up and down. I have very high expectations of the team and I expect the highest. It is a very hard league but it is unbelievable seeing the fans coming back because I think that is vital.

“The season I went up with Newcastle, when we played at home the fans were the 12th man. Sometimes that is what you need.

I definitely think we need to concentrate on winning as many home game as possible and getting on the winning trail.

“I understand why some fans get upset and want to show their anger. Everyone just wants us to go up, we all want the same thing.”