ROMMY Boco has had hopes of handing Accrington Stanley manager John Coleman a New Year boost dashed.

The influential midfielder returned to France last month after being told he needed complete rest to prevent a back injury developing into a stress fracture.

Boco was initially signed off for six weeks, but a specialist in Paris said he may need a further six weeks' rest, which would take him into January.

Boco is hoping to return to East Lancashire next week, with a view to beginning light fitness training before Christmas.

But he is unlikely to participate in full training until January at the earliest.