Striker Hector Sam is desperate to help fire Port Vale into the League One play-offs. The Trinidad and Tobago international made only two substitute appearances for the Valiants this season before breaking during a League Cup clash against Rotherham back in August.
But the 27-year-old was set to return to full training today and has set his sights on a first-team return a week on Saturday against Yeovil.
"I am hoping to be back in action as quick as possible," said Sam. "I will have a reserve game and then hopefully get back into the first team over the next two weeks - so maybe the Yeovil game.
"All I want is to play for Port Vale again and start banging in those goals to move us into the play-off places."
Sam has been frustrated by his injury-ravaged stint at Vale Park since his summer move from Wrexham,
But he hopes to put all that behind him as he tries to force his way back into manager Martin Foyle's plans.
"It has been a tough start to my time here, but I am getting there now and looking forward to playing again," revealed Sam.
"I was hoping to be back earlier, but my ankle was a bit sore, so I went to see the club's physio Martin Copeland and it feels all right now.
"I'll be back in full training today, so I can get cracking with getting back to full fitness and back into the side.
Foyle was wary of just how quick Sam would be back to full strength, but has earmarked a reserve-team game next week to test his fitness.
He said: "Hector took part in a few light training sessions over the last few weeks, but was limping. But he saw Martin (Copeland) and that limp has now gone.
"He hasn't played all season and all I can hope is he will be back in a couple of weeks.
"But I'm going to leave Hector to get on with his recovery, let him play a part in the reserve game next week and take it from there."