HOPES are high at the Reebok Stadium that Chung-Yong Lee could yet figure in Wanderers’ survival bid.

The South Korean maestro has been missing since the start of August, when he broke his leg playing in a pre-season friendly against Newport County.

But after stepping up his rehabilitation efforts over the last week, Owen Coyle revealed he is now set for fitness tests to determine whether he can make a comeback in the reserves.

“From that point we’ll look to build it up if those tests come back with good results,” the manager said.

“He would still be a couple of weeks away from joining the squad but then he will still need a couple of matches to bring him up to the level he has always been at.

“It certainly won’t be this week or next week when we’ll have him back in the squad but I’d hope he can play some part before the end of the season.”

Chung-Yong’s comeback would be a big boost to a squad already missing some key names in midfield.

Tyrone Mears is also nearing a first-team return after coming through his midweek runout in the reserves unscathed.

And Coyle reckons that with Stuart Holden also due to return in the coming months, it should provide an extra incentive for the club to secure their Premier League survival.

“What is really important is that we know we have those quality players to come back into the fold,” he said.

“We have been without them all this year, but it’s a huge boost for everyone at the club to think they will be back in among us next season.

“Having said that, we know we are being judged on what we do right now.

“And our focus has got to be on staying in the Premier League.”