Luke George wants to make a timely return to the Chester FC squad for the FA Cup fourth qualifying round shootout with Altrincham.
Liverpool-born midfielder George battled a bruised toe through the early part of the season and then pulled his thigh muscle against Forest Green Rovers on September 5.
The 23-year-old, who joined from Southport over the summer, has been forced to watch the past 10 games from the sidelines but has trained this week and, barring a late setback, will be in contention for the trip to Moss Lane on Saturday (3pm).
George said: "I'm very close now and hopeful for Saturday. I trained on Monday with a minor issue but nothing that's set me back so all being well I'll be involved.
"I've had a bit of a tough ride these past couple of weeks. I pulled my quad about six weeks ago and had a set back with that and then last week I was struggling with something else but I think that's with me being out for so long and not doing much on it.
"I've done a lot of rehab work and been going to Total Fitness in Chester which has helped massively so I'm very close."
George's absence has underlined his importance to the team with the midfield finding itself overrun at times and the defence leaking goals without his protection.
However, the Blues head into this weekend's game in decent shape following back-to-back victories over George's former club Southport and FC Halifax Town.
He said: "I've been pulling my hair out because I've missed some massive games with Wrexham and Tranmere but every game is only worth three points so the quicker I can get back and help the lads the better for me.
"It's always nice to win two on a spin. I keep speaking about that momentum and hopefully that's the start of a little run we can put together.
"We've had little sticky patches towards the end of games but I think that will come back because it has been there. The more positive thing is that we have been scoring goals so we're in a position where that rough patch at the end of the game isn't as much of a problem for us."
Altrincham are having a tough season in the National League but George insists that won't come into the equation for a cup encounter.
With a place in the first round and £12,500 in prize money at stake, he expects a blood-and-thunder battle, the kind of game he relishes being involved with.
"It's one of those games isn't it and the FA Cup teams bring everything and it's all or nothing," said George, who began his career with Crewe Alexandra.
"It's totally different to a league game and no matter who you play it's going to be a fast tempo, fiery and with it being a knockout competition there'll be going all out.
"I'm expecting the lads to produce the goals they have been and to be more solid. We're going then wanting to win, expecting to win and full of confidence on the back of two wins."
