ALBION star Jeff Minton is being lined up for his long-awaited return to action at Hartlepool on Saturday.

The Seagulls' midfield playmaker is creeping closer to fully recovering from the ankle ligament damage which has ruled him out for two months.

Physio Malcolm Stuart revealed: "Jeff has gone three days with no pain in training and he was striking balls last Friday."

Minton will go straight back into the side for the trip to Victoria Park, rather than having a run-out in the reserves against Wimbledon at Worthing tomorrow night.

Manager Jeff Wood said: "I am hoping Jeff will be okay for Saturday. It just depends how he comes through training the rest of this week.

"If he is allright I will bring him straight back in. We have worked him hard enough, so his general fitness is not that bad."

Minton has missed all nine matches since Wood took charge after limping off at Chester on January 15.

His absence and that of fellow ankle injury victim Rod Thomas over the same period have played a big part in Albion's slide down the table.

Minton scored twice and Thomas got the other goal in Albion's 3-2 home victory over Hartlepool in October.

Thomas is continuing his rehabilitation at Lilleshall this week, but Stuart does not expect him to return first team duty until next month.

Albion have another injury concern following last Saturday's thumping sixth defeat on the trot against Darlington. Striker Gary Hart suffered a badly swollen foot.

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