Barry is close to returning to full training

ROVERS have confirmed that Barry Ferguson is almost ready to join in with first team training.

The Scotland skipper dislocated a knee-cap in the Premiership match with Newcastle United at St James' Park on December 28. He underwent surgery and has been battling back to fitness ever since.

Initially, it was felt Barry would miss the rest of the season but he has said all along that he hopes to be back for part of the final run-in. And he has made tremendous progress.

"He is still working out at the Academy, but he's almost ready for the final push," said Rovers' assistant manager Tony Parkes this morning.

"Barry is working really hard and I expect that he will be ready to join the rest of the squad before too long."

In a recent interview, Barry himself said: "I'm not setting any targets because I will be disappointed if I don't reach them. The idea is to take each day as it comes and hopefully my leg's going to get stronger.

"As soon as I feel right, I'll come back and I'm really looking forward to it."