BOSS Alex Browne has revealed that Cuthbury goalscoring legend Scott Joyce is closing in on an eagerly-awaited return.

Injury-plagued frontman Joyce has yet to feature this season due to persistent heel problems.

The Southampton-born striker was a prolific performer during the club’s Wessex League days and has netted 163 goals since joining the club in June 2006.

But the 29-year-old has been unable to test himself at the higher level since Magpies earned promotion to step four.

However, a delighted Browne yesterday confirmed Joyce could make a popular comeback during the club’s run-in.

Browne told the Echo: “Scott is about 10 days away from playing. His return would be a massive plus and like a new signing.

“He has been training for the past two or three weeks. I spoke to him on Saturday and he did the warm-up. He seems to think, in two weeks, he will be available for the last four or five games.

“He deserves it. He is Wimborne through and through and has been trying to get into the Southern League for a long time.

“I’m sure he will be as proud as anyone when he pulls on that shirt and gets out on the pitch.”

Wimborne missed Joyce’s predatory instincts on Saturday when they were defeated 1-0 by Almondsbury. The visitors’ winning goal came from Ross Stearn on 42 minutes.

But Browne is hoping his men can finish the campaign with a flourish, having struggled earlier in their debut Southern League season.

He added: “Things are better and the mood in the camp is better.

“I’m just massively concerned that we don’t just go with the flow for the last seven games.

“We’ve got to try to finish as high as we can because that generates support and interest.

“The supporters only remember the last few games, so we need to make sure we finish as high as possible.”

Magpies: Malara, Yelland, Cole, Lloyd, Frampton, Roast, Green (Barnes, 75), Stokoe, Davidson, Chudy (Hunt, 85), James. Unused subs: Wilson, Lockyer, Walker-Harris (g/k).