LLOYD Isgrove is expected to make a welcome return for Wanderers this afternoon after four months out injured.

The winger, missing from action since November because of a torn hamstring, has recently re-joined full training and is set to feature for the reserve team against Fleetwood.

The game at Lostock (kick-off 2pm) could also see the return of Gethin Jones, who has missed the last four games whilst on compassionate leave following the sad passing of his mother, Karen.

Ian Evatt says he will make full use of the time to give the likes of Liam Gordon, Joel Dixon and George Thomason some game time before gearing up towards the next League One fixture against Wigan Athletic on April 2.

“We’ll use the game to play some of the lads who have not had regular football,” the manager said. “Then we will probably shut down for a couple of days, give all the players some recovery time, then prepare for what is obviously a bit game at Wigan.”

Wanderers should have Kieran Lee back in training next week, with an outside chance of him being available for the game at the DW Stadium.

The experienced midfielder has missed the last eight games after having minor surgery on his heel but Evatt feels he is getting closer to a competitive return.

“He is progressing, he is running again,” he said. “His heel, the wound is healing all the time.

“It has really been the wound that is holding us back the most, we need that to close up and stop the soreness. But in terms of inside the heel, the spur has been removed and things are looking really positive. We still think he's on course for the end of this month.

“Izzy has returned sooner than we thought. He is back in full training now and obviously there are two reserve games in the two-week window where we can give people minutes and time to play to get them ready for those up the road when we return.”

Evatt has confirmed, however, that the news for Andy Tutte is not as positive.

The Liverpudlian midfielder has managed just one appearance this season, tearing his hamstring shortly after a 3-2 win against Port Vale in the Papa John’s Trophy.

Tutte has since suffered two further muscular problems and is now not expected to play again this term.

“Following his hamstring injury, he picked up quite a nasty calf injury and when rehabilitating for that, when getting close to returning to training he’s re-done it,” Evatt confirmed. “I don’t think he will be fit for the remainder of the season.”