Shrewsbury Town’s long-term injury victim Nathan Elder is confident he is on course for a return to full training by the start of February.

The 25-year-old forward has been absent since suffering cruciate knee ligament damage on loan at AFC Wimbledon in April.

But Elder has been boosted by a positive update from his surgeon this week and believes he is now entering the final straight in his lengthy rehabilitation.

“I went to see the surgeon who did my knee operation on Tuesday and he said it was looking good,” said Elder.

“The time frame we are looking at is being back in full training in six to eight weeks.

“The medical staff at Shrewsbury have worked ridiculously hard to help me back.

“It has been a tremendously dark tunnel at times and it was very tedious back in the summer when I had to do the same exercises day in day out and a return seemed a long way away.

“Mentally it was tough then watching the lads train and play but it had to be done and hopefully the rewards will come.”

Elder is desperate to join Shrewsbury’s promotion charge and admits he has been impressed by the form of strike duo Jake Robinson and Matt Harrold.

“For me they have both been tremendous but I just want to get back as quickly as possible and give the manager a bit of a selection headache,” added Elder.

“I’ve not even worked with the manager in terms of full training yet but the players he has brought in and the way the team are doing has been inspirational.”

Meanwhile Manager Graham Turner today revealed his reasons for reaching a mutual agreement with Kris Bright to terminate the Kiwi’s contract.

“Kris has had one or two injury problems and didn’t figure too highly in the plans,” said the Town boss.

“We parted on the best of terms and we wish him well for the future.”

* Town’s postponed game against Accrington Stanley on Saturday has been re-arranged for Tuesday, January 18.

By James Garrison