JLLOYD Samuel has warned Wanderers fans not to write him off just yet.

One of the Reebok’s forgotten men is on the comeback trail after more than 10 months on the sidelines, and surgery on a serious thigh injury.

The Trinidad and Tobago international has not been seen since scoring an unfortunate own goal against Manchester United in a 4-0 home defeat last March but, with his contract expiring at the end of the season, Samuel is stepping up his recovery in a bid for some game time.

“This type of injury is quite rare in football and is something that you would most likely expect to find in rugby,” said the 29-year-old defender.

“I’ve been working hard to get myself fit and have been back training with the rest of the lads for about a week now.

“Fingers crossed, things will continue going well and I will be back to full fitness again in next to no time.”

Samuel was handed three starts under Owen Coyle after the manager’s arrival last January but fell behind Paul Robinson in the reckoning and was touted for a move away from the club over the summer.

Newcastle United were heavily linked with a move, but after playing in a handful of pre-season friendlies, Samuel picked up the injury that threatened to derail his Wanderers career completely.

Now back in the fold, the former Aston Villa man is hoping to get a chance to prove his fitness before the end of the season.

“I had to have surgery to re-attach the muscle back together and so it was quite a big operation, but because I have been out for quite a long time then I’m obviously enjoying being involved at the moment,” he said.

“I’ll hopefully train again for a few weeks and then I will look to play a couple of games with the reserves and see how everything goes.”