Long-term casualty Chris Stabb is well on the way to recovery and looking forward to playing football before the season ends.

The defender missed games early in the campaign due to an ankle injury but overcame that setback, only to twist his knee in training and damage ligaments.

However, he is back in light training and, with the backlog of games to get through due to the weather-enforced lay-off, hopes there will be chance to play his part in Avenue’s promotion bid.

He said: “I’m not too far from a comeback now and I have been running – only straight lines at the moment but I hope to be ready to play some part this season.

“I have missed a lot of football this year but I’m encouraged by the way things have gone over the last couple of weeks.

“All of the lads have missed loads of games because of the weather so there’s still a lot of football to be played. I think the gaffer will need a lot of players in the run-in because the games will be coming thick and fast.

“I can’t wait to get back in contention and hope the big number of games still to play will give me a chance of playing a big part before May.

“Injuries and suspensions mount up and we haven’t got a massive squad so the more players that are available will be welcome over what is the crucial part of the campaign.”

Stabb, who began his career at Valley Parade, has been dogged by injuries over the last few years.

He was in the Farsley Celtic squad that earned promotion to the Conference but missed the entire year the Celts spent in the non-league top tier.

Stabb battled back to be a mainstay of the side the following season in the Blue Square North.

And when manager Lee Sinnott switched allegiances from Farsley to Avenue – via a stint in charge at Port Vale – Stabb was one of his first signings.

It was a fitting move for Stabb as his grandfather George had played for Avenue in the Football League.

With his versatility, Stabb remains a crucial member of the current squad.