MARC Tierney is on course to play again for Wanderers this season after successful surgery on his fractured ankle.

It was unclear how long the full-back would be missing when he limped out of the 1-1 draw against Yeovil at the end of last month – with the Whites initially ruling him out for “a number of months.”

But fears his season could be over have been eased by Wanderers’ head of sports science Mark Leather, pictured, who revealed the tough tackling defender has been handed some good news in what is a potentially tricky injury to heal.

“The rehab from date of surgery is around about four to five months, it could be a little bit quicker or a little bit longer,” he told The Bolton News.

“The talus bone he has fractured can be a little bit unpredictable in terms of how quickly it heals but by all accounts the surgeon is really pleased with how things have gone.

“It is not a good bone to break but the fracture was actually in a good place. It’s a lesser of two evils.

“Fingers crossed if all goes well then he could be back in action towards the end of the season.”

Surgeons have also confirmed ligament damage suffered in the touchline challenge with Yeovil’s Ed Upson has been repaired.

He will now have stitches removed tomorrow before being fitted with a walking boot to aid the next stage of his recovery.

After good news on the injury front with Stuart Holden and Mark Davies, Leather hopes Tierney will now get a timely boost as he takes the next step in his own recovery effort.

“He’s another good, very motivated professional, which really helps things,” he said. “He knows it wasn’t a good bone to break but it is good news that the screw they have inserted is not interfering with the joint.

“That was a good boost for him. As with any player they want to be out on the pitch but it’s important not to set goals that are too far in front of you.”