Scott McDonald could play again this season after it was feared he may miss the remainder of the campaign with Middlesbrough.
The Australian striker sustained medial ligament damage in his knee against Leicester City in early February with the problem expected to sideline him for a couple of months.
But it has been revealed that McDonald, who has scored nine Championship goals this term, may again play this season as Tony Mowbray's Boro strive for promotion to the Premier League.
"Towards the end of an injury like his, you can push too hard and there could be a setback.
"It's all positive with Scott at the moment. I'm sure in his mind he wants to get back playing before the season is out. He won't want to face a long summer without a game or two behind him.
"I would hope that Scott's got an important part to play before the end of the season but let's wait and see, let's hope he has no setbacks.""All reports suggest Scott has a chance of getting back quicker than originally thought. And yet I would be wary of being over-optimistic," Mowbray told the Middlesbrough Gazette.