DARRAGH Lenihan is 'edging closer' to a first-team return and could join in with full training next week.

The 23-year-old defender hasn't featured for Rovers since the opening day defeat at Southend having undergone surgery on a fractured metatarsal in September.

He is working his way back to full fitness, and could feature for the Under-23s later this month.

Boss Tony Mowbray doesn't expect anyone to return to fitness for this weekend's trip to Fleetwood Town.

But of the Irishman, he said: “It was good to see Lenihan out on the grass joining in with the warm-up today.

“He’s edging closer, next week he will be joining in full sessions I’m sure and then maybe the week after he might get a run out for the Under-23s. He’s tip-toeing towards it.

“Corry Evans was out there with the sports science department doing some laps so he can’t be too far away.

“Gladwin is maybe a month away, Peter (Whittingham) has quite a bad calf strain which we need to let settle down and that could be another month.

“We are focussing on the ones that are fit and available, keep them going, create that competition with a few new faces and while it’s Saturday to Saturday there’s no excuses of fatigue or tiredness.

“They’re ready to go for each and every match.”