Reserve goalkeeper on the way back to fitness after participating in light sessions with coach Barber.

Reserve goalkeeper Dave Richards is back out on the training ground undertaking light training sessions with coach Fred Barber as he steps us his return from a fracture in his foot.

The summer signing from Bristol City has had his supportive boot removed now and is undertaking basic goalkeeping drills with the experienced Barber.

Richards suffered the fracture during training when his kicking foot was caught as he cleared the ball up field. His untimely injury in mid-September prompted boss Steve Davis to bring in Burnley stopper Danijel Nizic in an emergency to provide that cover for number one Ben Garratt.

Richards is progressing well from his injury although Davis has revealed that he is still restricted to kicking the ball because of the location of the fracture on his kicking foot.

Steve told crewealex.net: “Dave has had his boot removed and is back out there doing some light work with Fred and the other goalkeepers at the club.

“He is working on his handling and his quick feet. He is unable to do too much because he is still healing and he cannot strike through the ball because his injury was right on the top of his kicking foot.

“I’m sure he is pleased to be back outside and we are glad that he is back out there. We will continue to assess him because obviously Danijel’s loan agreement expires early next year.”