LION-HEARTED left-back Neil Ashton is on course to be declared fit for Barrow’s important festive campaign having recovered from nasty leg wounds he sustained in late October.

Seven weeks ago, the 30-year-old was stretchered off during the 4-1 reverse at Wrexham.

He was hurt in a challenge with Javan Vidal and subsequently had to undergo surgery.

But Ashton is close to ending his long first-team absence after returning to full training yesterday.

The ex-Wrexham man is not sufficiently ready to make his comeback in AFC’s National League fixture at Lincoln City tomorrow (3pm kick-off).

But he could be in the frame for selection ahead of the Bluebirds’ Boxing Day home clash with Gateshead.

Barrow boss Paul Cox said: “Ash has been in full training, but he will probably need another week to get himself up to full speed.

“I’d like to think he’ll be back for the festive period, which will be a massive plus to have people like him and Danny Livesey back, two experienced boys at this level of football.

“We’ve just got to be careful with Ash. He’s joined in full-time training, but he’s not had a major bang on his leg yet.

“We want him back full-time, not just coming in and out of the team, so we’re probably looking at Ash being ready a week on Saturday.”

AFC skipper Livesey has recently been sidelined with a groin injury.

But the centre-back trained yesterday, having completed a light session on Tuesday.

If he trains today without suffering any complications, he will be in contention to make his return to action tomorrow.

With important players returning to fitness, Cox added: “I think any football club needs their better players back and I bring Ash into that category.

“He’s experienced at this level and been in the higher echelons with his previous clubs.

“You look at the squad since I’ve been here, we’ve had players coming in and out of the squad through injuries, etc.

“It will be nice when we have a full compliment of players to choose from and then to get a nice settled side with a mixture of good young players and those who are experienced at this level as well.

“It will just be nice to have people like Ash back in the frame to choose from.”

Central midfielder David Mellor, who has been sidelined since fainting and undergoing heart tests, returned to training yesterday.

Again, if he comes through training today without suffering a setback, he could also return to the squad at Lincoln. Andy Haworth completed some straight-line running yesterday, having been ruled out with foot and ankle problems. While the winger will be missing at Sincil Bank, he will step up his training next week. It is hoped he will be available for selection within the next fortnight.

It is highly unlikely out-of-favour striker Ashley Grimes will be available tomorrow having picked up a problem in his pelvic area earlier this week. Grimes may need a scan and Cox believes he could be sidelined for at least a couple of weeks having been put on a course of antibiotics. Niall Cowperthwaite will serve the final game of a three-match suspension tomorrow.

If selected, it appears likely centre-back Simon Grand will wear his protective mask again tomorrow to offer continued protection to his broken nose.

Cox says he will not make any additions to his squad before tomorrow’s game, with Barrow able to recruit players who operate below National League level before the January transfer window opens.

The boss is always seeking to improve his squad but, with players coming back from injury, he is not in any major rush to inject fresh blood to his ranks before January, though he intends to strengthen his squad next month.