David Bell could be in Glenn Roeder's selection plans for the trip to Plymouth on September 13. The midfielder has yet to appear in a yellow shirt since moving from Luton in the summer - a deal that went through even though the player had a broken bone in his ankle picked up during training.

David Bell could be in Glenn Roeder's selection plans for the trip to Plymouth on September 13.

The midfielder has yet to appear in a yellow shirt since moving from Luton in the summer - a deal that went through even though the player had a broken bone in his ankle picked up during training.

However, Roeder believes he could return to full training in 10 days time.

“He's doing fine,” he said. “He has not had a setback, which is important.

“He is on course probably to come back into training with us not this coming Monday but the Monday after.

“He is training hard, we're getting good fitness work into him. He is running flat out, we just have to get over the twisting and turning which is causing him very mild pain, but we think that will go within the next seven days then he can come back in with us and do everything that the others are doing.”

Bell's injury didn't prevent Roeder singing him - to prevent anyone else getting in first.

But now the waiting game for both manager and player appears top be close to an end.

“It's been a bit of a nightmare for me to be honest,” said Bell.

“It's the worst time to get injured because then you're just playing catch-up, but hopefully I have put most of the weeks behind me now.

“I had a jab a couple of days ago so hopefully I will be back in training next week and then I can get a couple of weeks' training and then hopefully be back in amongst it.

“I can't wait to get going - it has been frustrating but I am trying to keep my chin up now and look forward.”