HARRY Brockbank is counting down the seconds before he returns to action for Bolton Wanderers.

Three months since his last appearance for the Whites, the 21-year-old defender is now nearing the end of his rehabilitation after a thigh tear.

Brockbank had a setback in his recovery in October but could now return to contention by Christmas, provided there are no more complications on the comeback trail.

“I can’t wait to be back playing,” said the academy graduate, whose last outing was in the Leasing.com Trophy draw against Bradford City. “I can’t say how much I have missed it.

“You don’t appreciate football when you are playing it. Hopefully it won’t be too long until I am back again.”

Brockbank became one of Wanderers’ youngest-ever captains earlier this season but after picking up an injury in training he has joined the likes of Josh Earl and Connor Hall in the gym on the slow march back to full fitness.

The defender also revealed that Keith Hill gave him a break from the club after his second injury issue to help clear his mind of disappointment. “At first I was annoyed but I understand these things happen in football but the second time, when I did it again, my head ‘fell off’ for a couple of weeks,” he told the club.

“The gaffer was really good with me and let me go away, which helped me out a lot.

“Now I want to get back to playing.

“You have to keep a strong mindset. If you go in sulking every day it doesn’t get you anywhere.

“Come in with a positive mindset, you get back quicker.”

Meanwhile, Wanderers have confirmed that Bolton Central will be open on Sundays throughout December from 11am to 4pm, and from 9am to 1pm on Christmas Eve.