DARREN Pratley is making good headway in his recovery from a broken leg and could come back ahead of schedule.

The influential midfielder has been out of action since the opening day of the season but has impressed the club’s medical staff with the speed of his recovery.

Pratley fractured his fibula and also required surgery to stablise his ankle after damage to his ligaments in August – but is now no longer wearing a protective boot and on course for a return by December.

It had been feared that with the additional surgery the club skipper could be out of commission until the New Year but Phil Parkinson confirmed on Thursday that he was already “more than half way” through his rehab.

Another player on the comeback trail is Max Clayton, who came through his first full week of training unscathed after being given the all-clear by a knee specialist.

The young striker’s return has been much anticipated by supporters but Parkinson is reluctant to risk any further problems by bringing him back into competitive action too soon.

“He’s a way off starting a game – we need to be clear about that – but he’s back in training,” the manager said.

“It’s a more extreme case of what we had with Zach Clough. He’s had a long time out and we don’t want to be pushing him back just for him to get another injury.”

Clayton has been undergoing special training sessions with assistant boss Steve Parkin as he bids to return to league football for the first time in a year.

Parkinson had a brief look at him in pre-season before persistent swelling of the knee joint forced him to go under the surgeon’s knife and seek specialist advice.

And the Wanderers boss believes Clayton has plenty to offer his side when the time is right.

“He’s a clever player – from what I saw in pre-season he’s an intelligent footballer whose movement is very good,” he said.

“His attitude is great and if there’s a chance around the penalty box he’ll put himself about, stretch to get that final touch and try to get a goal.

“He’s been brought up well in the Crewe academy but he’s had a hell of a lot of time out injured. The physio, Matt Barrass, and the specialist feel the knee is fine – so hopefully it won’t be long before he is back out there.”

Parkinson admits injuries – including a season-ending ruptured cruciate for Mark Davies – have taken a significant toll on the side after their impressive start to the season.

He hopes, however, that results have now stabilised again after a wobble in September and that the Whites can get their promotion chase back on track against Oldham Athletic this afternoon.

“The training has been as good this week as it has been in my short time here. We need to build on that,” he said. “I’ll admit I was down after the manner of defeat against Oxford a couple of weeks ago but you have to get into work on the Monday and find a way to get yourself up and running again.

“You earn everything you get in English football, so it was a case of looking at the game again, analysing the bits I needed to, showing the players the bits they needed to see.

“It was better on the Tuesday and we back that up with the win last weekend. I think we deserved the luck we got against Swindon.

“I think the great start we had papered over a few issues. But in fairness, we have had some key players pick up injuries.

“There will always be tough moments and challenges but if you’ve got good people working with you – out on the training pitch and in the boardroom as well – it makes it easier.

“We’re working together and now we’ve got the points board ticking over again I want to see another three gained against Oldham.”