MIDFIELDER Ben Fox is back in training with the Burton Albion first team, less than seven months after suffering an ACL injury.
Fox was brought off in our first friendly match last July away at Matlock Town, and has been working with physio Nick Fenton in that time to get back to full fitness.
The 22-year-old Academy graduate also warmed up with the first-team on the Pirelli Stadium pitch ahead of our recent home fixtures against Fleetwood Town and MK Dons.
Now Fox will be working on his sharpness as he aims to be back in a first-team squad as soon as possible.
“Ben Fox is back on the training pitch with us,” manager Nigel Clough confirmed in his press conference this morning.
“It has been a big boost for everyone this week.
“He’s just got to be a little bit careful with the contact, but he’s back and joining in with everything.
“That’s brilliant to see. To get Ben back involved has given everyone a lift - and no-one more than him.”
Clough also confirmed that on-loan Everton forward Nathan Broadhead is back in training.
Broadhead’s last appearance for the Brewers came in last month’s 1-0 win over MK Dons, replaced at half-time by Conor Shaughnessy, and the youngster has been back to Everton in recent weeks due to a recurring hamstring issue.
Other than that, Clough anticipates a fully-fit squad for the visit of Gillingham on Saturday.
“The squad is in good shape and we’ve got nearly everybody fit at the moment, which is great,” said Clough.
“Nathan Broadhead is back with us - he’s had a good full week of training, so he should be available and it could well be a fully-fit squad heading into the weekend.”