Ben Muirhead will take another giant stride along the road to recovery on Monday.

City's speedy winger is hoping to be unleashed on the training ground again, four weeks after going under the knife for a hernia operation.

"Things are looking up for me," he said. "I've been doing a lot of long-distance work and started running on the track.

"I get a few aches after I've done my work but no pain like it was before, so hopefully I'm ready to push on again next week.

"I'm looking to do a bit of light training and ball work on Monday. After that it shouldn't be too long before I'm training fully and getting myself in

condition for a game in the reserves."

Muirhead, who has had a patchy season so far, has

started only once since the turn of the year but, suitably refreshed from his enforced lay-off, he is keen to stamp his mark on the home straight.

Next week's Valley Parade clash with Blackpool may come too soon but Muirhead could be in contention for the long haul to Bournemouth in a fortnight.

He said: "It's horrible being injured, and I never wanted to be out the team in the first place, but I needed to have it done. I feel so much better since the operation.

"The squad has been a bit thin, with players out like Bobby Petta and myself, but I'm looking to get back and remind the manager that I'm about again.

"It's good to see Owen Morrison back and he did well for the reserves. You always want competition for places and I can't wait to be part of that and hopefully put him under some pressure.

"The table is so tight between the bottom and the middle and we've drawn too many games - but there is still plenty of time left for me to come back and hopefully help us push on with a few wins."