MIDFIELD king-pin Garry Flitcroft has boosted Blackburn Rovers promotion push by taking a major step on the comeback trail.

The former Manchester City star, who has been out of action for virtually a year, took part in his first training session yesterday.

And provided the injury shows no reaction over the next couple of days, he can start training with the rest of the squad on a full time basis.

Rovers boss Tony Parkes is delighted to have one of his most prized assets back after a year of misery.

And provided the 27-year-old can prove he's made a full recovery, Parkes believes he could still have a crucial role to play as Rovers chase a play off spot.

"It would be a great bonus to have Garry back," said Parkes.

"He trained for the first time yesterday and, provided there's no reaction, he'll be able to start joining in with the rest of the lads full time.

"He will need a week or two training and then we'll look to get him a couple of reserve games. But if we can get him back fit in the next couple of weeks it will be like signing a new player.

"Everybody is looking forward to seeing how he progresses because he's a very strong player and a very influential player.

"Just before he got injured he was probably playing some of the best football of his life.

"And provided he can get back to that kind of a level when he returns, he could be a very important player for us."

Flitcroft damaged his knee ligaments in an innocuous-looking training incident over 12 months ago and has since undergone three separate operations. He did make an attempted comeback at Huddersfield earlier in the season but that only lasted one game before he broke down again.

However, Flitcroft's return isn't the only bit of good news from the treatment room today.

As we revealed on Wednesday, keeper Alan Kelly is also making excellent progress after damaging ankle ligaments at Portsmouth last week.

An initial diagnosis by medical staff estimated the Republic of Ireland international could be out for six weeks following his clash with Pompey defender Darren Moore.

But the 31-year-old is making such a speedy recovery that he could have an outside chance of making the squad for Monday's FA Cup fourth round clash with Liverpool at Anfield, although next weekend's game against Huddersfield might be a more realistic target.

"The way the medical staff are talking, Alan could be in contention," said Parkes.

"He's improving very quickly and people are quite optimistic he might be ready, if not for Monday, then against Huddersfield next week.

"But he still hasn't kicked a ball yet, which will be the big test.

"So it's a case of wait and see on that one."

Should Kelly fail to get fit in time then Parkes will have no qualms in calling on John Filan again.

But the Aussie is still nursing a shoulder injury which requires an operation and the Ewood chief has not ruled out bringing in another keeper on loan.

"John obviously has a problem because he needs an operation so we do have to be careful with him at the minute and try and nurse him through.

"But he's okay at the moment and doesn't seem to have suffered any reaction from Monday.

"However, we might well have to bring somebody in on loan."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.