HOPE Akpan is set to join in with City on the training field today but David Hopkin admits he will have to be patient with him.

The head coach is yet to see Akpan in action after the central midfielder damaged a shoulder on the Scot’s first day at the club.

The former Burton man started the season slowly but was an ever-present under Michael Collins for the first seven games.

He has been sidelined for the past six weeks and Hopkin cannot afford to push him back in too quickly to fill an area where City have been light.

Hopkin said: “Hope should be able to start training which is a boost for us.

“But as we keep saying, players are coming back but they are going to take weeks to get fit. They’ve been out for so long.

“You can’t push people or they will break down again and you’ll be back to square one.

“But he is looking good. His body fat is down but, to be fair, that’s the same with every player from working hard.”

With Jim O’Brien still out, Hopkin has been impressed by the way Huddersfield teenager Lewis O’Brien has grabbed his opportunity in a central role.

The 19-year-old had not played a senior game for the Terriers before joining City on loan.

Hopkin said: “Lewis has come in when we’ve had a few injuries and he’s probably one of our better performers.

“He’s a young kid with a fantastic attitude towards the game and he knows that the more he plays, the better he will get.

“He’ll make mistakes in a game and maybe pick the wrong pass. But his desire and effort are there.

“He’s been outstanding and that’s what I need to see off every young player that comes in the team.”

Left back Connor Wood is another rookie thrown in the deep end after Adam Chicksen suffered a hairline fracture in his leg. He has started all seven of the league games since Hopkin took charge.

The head coach added: “Connor has played a lot of football over the last six weeks.

“The first half against Bristol Rovers he maybe looked a wee bit overawed but he’s been fantastic.

“Once Adam comes back, there’s competition for places.

“But as I said to Connor, ‘you’re in the team now’. Keep playing well, then it’s up to him to push you out.

“It’s a tough situation but sometimes when you put young players in, they surprise you.

“Both Lewis and Connor will benefit from this.”