INJURED hotshot Mark Gamble is set to test his powers of recovery this week as he bids to make a welcome return to the Wimborne Town ranks.

The 29-year-old striker, under contract until the end of the season, feared his campaign could have been over after displacing two bones in his foot and suffering ankle ligament damage against Weymouth a month ago.

His setback typified a tumultuous spell for the Cuthbury club with boss Steve Cuss resigning last week and the board slashing the playing budget by more than 40 per cent on the back of their struggles in Southern South & West.

But Gamble, who has 11 goals in 14 appearances in all competitions this season, could be about to give the incoming manager a timely boost by targeting a return to full training within a month – provided he comes through his first tentative run unscathed.

Gamble told the Daily Echo: “I’m walking fine and driving now, which is great. I was supposed to get my MRI report on Friday so I am chasing that at the moment.

“When I last spoke to the ankle surgeon, he said I would need an operation to get rid of all the excess bone and things like that but the immediate concern was over the ligaments.

“But I have been doing exercises, bending my ankle here, there and everywhere and now I’m itching to get back running to see how it holds up.

“I know I will need surgery in the future but if I can manage it well enough to get through the season then it would be great. It’s a bit of a waiting game but I hope to find out in another week or so.

“I would like to be back in full training by mid-December so I can get back in the swing of it. I’m going to start running this week to see what it’s like so we’ll just have to take it from there.”

n Table-toppers Poole Town will be out for revenge at promotion-rivals Chippenham tonight (7.45pm).

The Bluebirds are on a four-match winless run in the Southern League Premier Division but won 3-1 at Tatnam in August.