Tyrone Mears could soon make his Bolton debut after six months on the sidelines with a broken leg.
The 28-year-old signed for Wanderers during the summer, having previously played for boss Owen Coyle at Burnley.
But his dream move to the Reebok came to a shuddering halt when he got injured in an innocuous accident on the training ground.
As a result, he's only managed to pull on the white shirt in the pre-season games against Bury, Newport County and Hereford.
"It's been an incredibly frustrating six months or so," he told the club's official website.
"It sounds obvious, but to break your leg within a few days of signing for a new club isn't the best way to start. From there I've just had to keep my head down and work hard.
"All my recovery was more about time, waiting for the bone to heal. It was always initially going to be January and I was ahead of schedule but had a bit of a setback in November. Though, since then everything has gone to plan."
That means that Mears, a virtual ever present at right-back during Coyle's two years at Turf Moor, could soon make his way back in the reserves.
"I know exactly what the manager expects from his players and I'm more than ready for it," he added.
"I'm an attacking full-back so hopefully I can first get in the team, then be getting forward as much as I can and chipping in with a few assists.
"I'll always give everything regardless of whatever game I'm playing in."