Town duo set to return at the weekend

Both have returned to training over the enforced two-week break and should be available for the trip to in-form Wigan.

Akpa Akpro has been given leave to sort out personal issues that saw him miss the FA Cup win at Gainsborough, while Grandison has recovered from the back injury that has kept him out of the last six games.

Manager Micky Mellon said: "Jean-Louis has some issues but he trained last week and we're working with him and he's looking like he's in a better place.

"We're taking things day to day with him but he's trained very well when he's been here.

"He's been coming in and out of training but he's looking closer to his old self, though we won't put any pressure on him."

Mellon is reluctant to talk publicly about the Frenchman's issues, but it's understood they are unconnected to football.

The Town boss said: "I'm not going to expand on it, because it's something that's very private to him that he's dealing with.

"We're trying to get him back to the Jean-Louis we know as quickly as possible, while being human about it."

Grandison should be ready to challenge for a return at the DW Stadium after losing his place after the Johnstone's Paint Trophy exit to Fleetwood.

Mellon said: "He's back in full training and has been with us since pretty much the start of last week. He has trained very well and he is getting back to where we want him.

"He's a naturally fit big guy and can pretty much hit the ground running."

But the 24-year-old could find it hard to regain his place.

Experienced duo Zak Whitbread and Anthony Gerrard were paired together at Gainsborough for the first time from the start and kept a clean sheet in the 1-0 win.

Meanwhile, Town's reserve fixture against Morecambe today has been postponed due to the Shrimpers' FA Cup replay at home to Dagenham & Redbridge tonight.