WREXHAM wing-back Carlos Edwards has intensified his training regime after being given the all-clear by medics.
Edwards says he would love to get back into the first team before Christmas, but club physio Mel Pejic is determined to give his damaged knee as much time as necessary to heal.
"Everything is going to plan so far. I saw the surgeon on Monday and he is very happy with the progress I've been making.
"He gave Pej the go-ahead to step up the training a bit and that's what I've been doing for the past week or so.
"I would like to be back by Christmas. But it takes time and we'll take as much time as we need to make sure that I'm fully fit.
"Hopefully, I'll be back by the new year if not Christmas."
The Trinidadian was also buoyed by news club boss Denis Smith now has the all-clear to open contract negotiations with players he wants to tie up beyond the end of the season.
The 25-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season, but as Wrexham's most highly-rated performer would be certain to be pursued by a whole host of clubs.
"It's a big boost to the players who are out of contract and myself that the gaffer has been given the go-ahead.
"To be fair he (Smith) mentioned to me that he would like to speak to me once he had the go-ahead.
"He wants to keep me and I would love to stay, but at the end of the day it's up to the club to offer me a contract if they want me to stay."
Edwards is one of eight pros missing from the Red Dragons' squad for today's League One contest at Torquay United.
The lengthy casualty list has forced Smith to include scholars Kieran Quinn and Mike Williams in his squad as well as trialist Matt Shaw and Simon Spender, who has just been promoted to the senior ranks.
Newly-promoted Torquay have struggled to make an impact on League One and second from bottom with just two wins from 14 games.