Alex Morris believes that striker Christopher Long could be just 10 days away from returning to his squad.

Last season's top scorer and Player of the Year has been absent so far this term, after picking up an ankle injury in the first pre-season friendly at Nantwich Town at the beginning of July.

Though the 27-year-old was expected to recover quickly, it has taken more time than anticipated and he is still not able to train fully.

But the manager is hopeful that there is light at the end of the tunnel, and the former Everton and Burnley man could be pushing for a place in the near future.

Alex said: "It’s taken a lot longer than we’d have hoped. Chris sustained an injury against Nantwich and because it has taken so long, we’ve had to take a good look at whether there is something more meaningful there which has been slowing down the process of him recovering.

"I hope that will reach its conclusion in the next 10 days and he can rejoin the squad, because he is going to be an important part of what we want to do this season."

Long contributed 10 league goals in his debut season for The Railwaymen and will be desperate to get into double figures as quickly as possible this time around.