Injured Bradford City defender David Wetherall was today expecting the green light to start kicking a ball again.

Wetherall had another appointment with the specialist to check the rate of recovery from his groin operation.

And the centre-half, who suffered the injury at Derby in November, was hoping he would be cleared to step up his training programme.

Wetherall said: "I'm looking at about four weeks before I'll be able to play again. But I'm not setting a specific target because it's more important to make sure everything is right.

"I've started straight running again so I don't feel like I'm wasting away. I can slowly get my fitness back and hopefully after I've seen the specialist he will say I can do a bit more.

"It's frustrating when you come down to training and see everyone else doing it. You just want to join in."

Wetherall tore his groin at Pride Park two days before Jim Jefferies officially took over as manager. But Jefferies has pinpointed Wetherall's absence as a key factor in City's struggle.

The defender said: "I just met him before the game and then went and got injured, which doesn't help the frustration either.

"But I'm delighted to hear the manager saying nice things about me. I can't wait to get back in and battle to win back my place in the team."