CHRIS McCann has returned to full training after recovering from reconstructive knee surgery and a recent health scare.

The midfielder has been sidelined since the summer following an operation to repair his cruciate ligament, and last month had fluid drained from his head after complaining of persistent migraines.

But at a time when Burnley are ruing a succession of injuries up front, with January signing Charlie Austin’s season coming to a premature end due to a dislocated shoulder and both Steven Thompson and Martin Paterson long-term casualties, McCann has handed manager Eddie Howe a welcome fitness boost.

The Clarets boss is refusing to put a timescale on when the 23-year-old will be ready for a return to first team action.

But he admitted McCann is starting to put an 18-month injury nightmare behind him.

“Chris McCann trained fully, which was really pleasing from our point of view to see him out on the training pitch,” said Howe, ahead of tonight’s game at in-form Hull City.

“He's going to need a little bit of time but that was his first session with us after being on grass for a while with the physio.

“We're delighted he's making the progress he is and hopefully he'll be available again soon.

“I think he's pleased, like any player who's been out for such a long time. That first session does give you a huge boost and you can't wait to get it out of the way. Hopefully we'll see him back playing soon, but we can't put a date on it yet.”

But after playing only 103 minutes of competitive football since September 2009, when his knee problems started with an injury against Sunderland, McCann described the latest step on his road to recovery as "amazing"

“I was very excited because it has been so long,” said the Dubliner, who came through the Clarets’ youth team ranks. “It feels amazing to be back.

“I joined in a couple of the 12-minute games and my head is moving faster than my body at the moment!

“But it feels good to be back with the boys and have a kick around and even better to get out there, get serious and bury a goal past Beasty (Brian Jensen) again!

“It will take me a while to get me going again and I’ll be building it up every day now and doing as much as I possibly can to try and get back.

“I’d like to get at least 10 days under my belt before I can think about games, but hopefully I can get some action again before too long.”