WANDERERS midfielder Mark Davies could return to action next month and give Neil Lennon a huge boost for the Championship run-in.

The creative playmaker has been sidelined since the end of November after surgery on a knee injury – the latest in a long line of problems that have decimated his number of appearances for the Whites in recent seasons.

There had been fears the man who turns 27 today could miss the rest of the campaign.

But Lennon has now revealed Davies is on track to return within the four months predicted at the time.

The Whites boss said: "He’s (Davies) looking well.

"He’s trained his rehab very, very well and looking in really good condition so it’s just a matter of getting him back out there on the pitch.

"I don’t think he’s far away from that, maybe another four or five weeks."

Davies has not figured for Wanderers since the 3-1 home derby win against Wigan on November 7, picking up the cartilage injury during the international break in training before the visit to Blackpool.

He has only figured 11 times this campaign, scoring once against Brentford, and only five times for Lennon since he took up the reins in October.

In total, he has made just 29 appearances in the last two seasons following knee and shoulder problems in 2013-14.

Wanderers had hoped his injury jinx may be over before this latest spell on the sidelines.

But with light at the end of the tunnel now, Lennon is hopeful this time will see Davies back for good.

And he will naturally be delighted to welcome back a player he feels offers the team something different going forward – particularly following the January departure of Chung-Yong Lee.

Lennon said: "It’ll be a massive boost for us. You definitely miss a player of that quality.

"It’s been a huge blow because he was looking good, he was working hard on his game and his fitness levels – he was cruising.

“I’ve only had the chance to work with him for two or three games and I quickly realised what a very good player he really is."

Davies' problems has been one of a catalogue of injuries that have beset Wanderers since Lennon arrived.

But his possible return in March is another boost, with the Whites boss hopeful strike duo Emile Heskey and Craig Davies will be back for Saturday's trip to Nottingham Forest along with skipper Matt Mills.

Lennon added: "Emile and Craig are back on the training ground doing physical work now.

"Saturday was too soon but we hope the Forest game will be okay.

“They haven’t really been involved with the first team so far but we’re hoping that will happen this week."