CLARETS skipper Steve Davis returned to full training this week and admitted he can't wait to get back in the first team.

"I am desperate to get back into action," explained the inspirational defender who has at last kicked a football for the first time since injuring his knee in the 2-2 draw at Gillingham at the end of October.

"This is the most important part of the season and we are still well in there with a shout for either a top two spot or a play-off place at least."

And while manager Stan Ternent was frustrated by the postponement of the clash with Bradford City in midweek he did confess that the fact he might now have Davis available for the rearranged game was a silver lining.

"We are on a decent run at the minute, although we would like to be winning instead of drawing, but from a selfish point of view it is another game I might now play in," said Davis.

He was an ever present in the side until his injury, the worst he has suffered in his career. Now he has resumed training with the rest of the squad he is keen to step up his recovery.

"I have done a couple of days this week and at this stage it is just a case of progression," he said. "I have got to get my strength back where I have been injured and I know I have to get to a certain level of fitness before I will be ready for the first team.

"I have not set a target because that can leave you frustrated if you don't make it. I just want it to be as soon as possible."

To date he has only joined in a couple of sessions with his fellow players and he has been as frustrated as everyone else by the weather.

"I trained with the lads on Friday but it was so wet we didn't need boots, we needed snorkel and flippers," he joked. "But it has been nice to get back out there."

Davis had a gym session with them in midweek and as well as full training yesterday he has been doing extra work with physio Ian Liversedge.

"I have been working a lot over the weekends and that is the same now," he said. "Basically I can do all the training that the first team lads do, not just the running but twisting and turning.

"I have even put in my first tackle on Alan Moore although I am still avoiding having too much contact. But it all feels okay, just a few aches and pains but that is normal when you are coming back from a long break.

"Now I just have to prove I am back to full fitness to myself, the physio and the manager and then I will be available again."

After today's game at Crewe Alexandra there will be only a dozen games left this season. As he is still battling for full fitness Davis will not figure in them all but Ternent will be just as keen as the player himself to have him back in action as soon as possible.