Town striker Marcus Bent is well ahead of schedule after his recent groin operation. Bent is a couple of weeks away from getting back into training.
Manager Joe Royle says Bent is progressing well: "He's got no pain after the surgery and that's an encouraging sign. Hopefully Marcus can be back on the scene before long."
The Town manager also confirmed that he did indeed make an enquiry regarding the availability of Marcus Stewart on loan. However, as we reported, Howard Wilkinson was not keen to allow Stewart to leave: "I spoke to Howard Wilkinson at Sunderland some time ago and, with Marcus on the first team bench, he was understandably not too keen on the idea."
Royle seems less keen on a loanee striker at present with goals from Alun Armstrong, Darren Bent and Pablo Couñago in the last two games.