BOURNEMOUTH captain Alan Manning is set for a shock comeback in February as his recovery from injury continues to gather pace.

The prop snapped his Achilles tendon while playing in Sam Yarwood's memorial match during pre-season and subsequently went under the knife.

Manning, ever present for Lions last season, had been told to expect a campaign on the sidelines.

But his recovery has accelerated in recent months and with the skipper already able to run, head coach Will Croker is expecting the club stalwart to reach full match fitness relatively soon.

Croker told the Daily Echo: "We were told that Alan would likely be out for the season but his operation has meant that his Achilles is going to be stronger than it was before.

"It's now about getting back strength and flexibility and Alan is one of those people who will do something to the letter when he is told to by a physio, so he is an incredibly quick healer.

"He is running now, which is unheard of and we are expecting him to be available to play some time in early February.

"He's a huge player for us and a bit of a machine, really. He's one of these guys that is just so desperate to play rugby."

Croker also expects to welcome back Duncan Soden (broken scaphoid) and Matt Christopher (cut eye) at the beginning of January, with neither available for Lions' final game of the calendar year at home to Cleve tomorrow (2pm).

Centre Grant Hancox may be unavailable due to work commitments so Alex Everett-Bolter is on standby to replace him. Front-row Steve Osborne returns to the bench in place of Ryan Hughes.

Croker added: "We don't know a huge amount about Cleve, to be honest. Their results have been either sensational or they have slipped up in games they shouldn't have.

"I suppose you could say they have been a little bit like us this season.

"If we're going to push on and really mount a challenge for the top two places then these are the games that we have to be winning."