John Buckley is ahead of schedule as he recovers from a shoulder injury and is targeting a return to the team in February.

The midfielder picked up the injury at Sheffield Wednesday and was initially ruled out for three months. That would have taken him to the end of February and even into March.

After being recalled by Blackburn Rovers, Jon Dahl Tomasson is keen to have the 24-year-old at his disposal again. With Lewis Travis on loan at Ipswich, there is a role for him in the squad again.

Buckley is targeting a quick return to action and hopes he'll be available for Rovers in the next month.

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"It's good to be back, the rehab for my shoulder is going well so far," he told RoversTV. "I'm a little bit ahead of where I should be and I'm happy with that.

"It's football, it's unlucky, I fell funny. The rehab is going well, I am ahead of schedule. I felt a little crack, a pop, I knew straight away, it's part of the game.

"I have been asking what the quickest someone has come back but I can't rush it. I have to take it step by step.

"Initially it was mid-end of Feb time. I think I'm a few weeks ahead of schedule. I'm out on the grass so it shouldn't be too long."

"I had a small operation to put the joint back, I've got a full range of movement so it's about strengthening it. Then it'll be a few weeks before we test falling on it, trying to do things like that."

Buckley left to join Sheffield Wednesday on transfer deadline day having fallen down the pecking order at Ewood Park. The midfielder wanted regular game time and after missing out on successive matchday squads, he felt it was time for a change of scenery.

The loan didn't go perfectly, coming in and out of the side before picking up his shoulder injury. However, Buckley is pleased he tried a change of scenery and is now fully focused on returning for Rovers.

"I went out to Sheffield Wednesday, it was a different environment, a good change for me to try something different after being here for so long," he said.

"I am back now which I'm happy about. I want to get fit and get myself back in the team. I'm looking forward to playing at Ewood again.

"At the start, the first few weeks, it was tough, I didn't know anything different (from here). Day-to-day things, I got on with the lads very well, Sheff Wednesday were picking up some results just before the end when I left as well which was good.

"I am back now and looking forward to cracking on. It has opened my eyes a little bit, I am really happy to be back now. I get on with everyone here and hopefully, I'll get back on the pitch soon."

2023 was a tough year for Buckley. He broke into the side in March but then a knee injury ruled him out for the remainder of the season.

A lack of minutes forced a loan move and then that was curtailed due to injury. Off the pitch, there have been challenges too for the midfielder with the passing of a family member.

A New Year marks an opportunity for a fresh start and that is how Buckley is viewing the challenge ahead.

"It was tough altogether, a couple of injuries, it was more of a learning year, that is how I am seeing it," he said. "It's a New Year now, a few things happened off the pitch which weren't good for me.

"It was a tough year and hopefully, I can kick on. That stuff will make me stronger, it's part of the game. It isn't a long career so I need to get back playing when I'm fit.

"I've had loads of messages from the fans, even when Blackburn played Wednesday, I got some messages sent from chants in the away end which I appreciated."