Peter Atherton is ready to take a small but significant step along the road to recovery.

Atherton sees specialist Steve Bollen at the Yorkshire Clinic on Monday, hoping that the pot will be removed from his left leg.

City's injury-plagued defender, who broke his ankle in a reserve game six weeks ago, said: "Hopefully before Christmas I will be pushing for a squad place, if not in the team.

"But I'm not jumping the gun and first things first I've got the appointment with Mr Bollen. All being well, I can get the brace off and then it's a slow road back then.

"I've had it adjusted every two weeks and been able to do a bit of rehab work on the stepper, the cross trainer and bike. But obviously once it comes off altogether I can look to pick things up.

"Of course it's frustrating but I've got to keep my head up and look forward to the next month or so when I can really work my socks off."

City's hopes of landing Darlington defender Matt Clarke have been dealt a blow.

Clarke is back in the picture with the League Two side after former City trialist Joey Hutchinson was ruled out for the rest of the season with a serious knee injury.

Colin Todd said: "It's something I can't push anyway at this moment because I'm not in a position to. But he will be playing regularly so the ball is in their court.

"The player still wants to come to us, which is good news, but obviously Darlington hold all the aces."