Reuben Hazell keen to take next step towards Shrewsbury Town comeback

Long-term injury victim Reuben Hazell insists he is ready to take the next step on his Shrewsbury Town rehabilitation – despite seeing his recovery frustrated by the weather.

Hazell and fellow defender Connor Goldson, who is aiming to return from a back problem, were withdrawn from outdoor training with their team-mates last week after the cold snap forced sessions to be moved to an artificial surface.

With both players closing in on a return to full fitness, Town's coaching staff were keen for the pair not to aggravate their problems on a synthetic pitch.

But Hazell remains happy with his progress from a serious knee injury suffered against this Saturday's opponents Torquay in September, and is now eyeing a reserve-team outing after missing his scheduled second-string return against Crewe a fortnight ago for family reasons.

"The weather has probably set me back a week because coming back from long-term injury, it wasn't right for me to go on an artificial pitch," said the former Oldham captain, who turns 33 in April.

"I worked outside on Monday but then I was in the gym for the rest of the week.

"But it's progressing well and now it's a case of getting some training and two or three reserve games under my belt."

Hazell is thrilled to be on the brink of a return after sustaining what was seen as a potentially season-ending injury on September 24.

"It's been a long road back but there has been a goal all the way through and now it's almost achieved," he added.

"The boys have done excellently throughout the season and if I play a part in helping us achieve our target (of promotion) – whether that is one game or 10 games – that will be fantastic."

The postponement of Saturday's home clash with Port Vale means striker Marvin Morgan's three- match ban will now stretch to the home game with Bristol Rovers next Tuesday.

See also:

• Shrewsbury Town focus on promotion aim

• Shrewsbury Town v Port Vale called off