Defender Indy Khela is set to make a return to the AFC Telford line-up after he was given the all-clear by doctors to resume training.The defender had been expected to miss the rest of the season with a stress fracture, but a scan yesterday revealed the injury has healed.

Khela’s return will give boss Rob Smith a huge boost as he looks to strengthen his side’s Blue Square North promotion charge.

He is looking forward to seeing Khela back in the line-up after three months on the sidelines.

Smith said: “His leg has been given the all-clear, so he is okay to resume training.

“We’ll have to wait until as soon as he is fit as he has lost a bit of fitness.

“It is looking like he is about three weeks away, but the main thing is that he can now do something in training.”

Khela’s return goes some way towards making up for the failure to land Worcester City skipper Chris Smith – a deal which now appears to be over.

Bosses at Worcester have failed to respond to Telford’s advances – and Smith is now keen to focus on Khela’s imminent return.

“The sooner he gets back the better,” he added.

“It is a bit like when he came back last year (from a shoulder injury) and it could be crucial for us. It is fantastic news.”

Last night’s training session also saw fitness tests for Gary Fitzpatrick and Simon Forsdick, although Smith is confident they will both be available to play at Workington on Saturday.

He said: “Fitz’s groin is okay – Simon did not trainlast night, but they both should be okay.”