AFC Fylde boss Dave Challinor was delighted to see midfielder Sam Finley return to training this week.

The 24-year-old has been out since November with Ulcerative Colitis but is now on the comeback trail and Challinor is hopeful of calling upon the midfield man before the end of the season.

Challinor said: “Sam has started training again this week and joined in both of full sessions over the last two days.

“He has been out for some time so training has taken it out of him but he hasn’t felt any ill effects.

“It is great to have him back around the place. He is a big personality and it will give the lads a huge boost.

“I’m not sure exactly when he will be match fit – we will leave that down to him. It’s when he feels ready.

“That said, hopefully we will see him before the end of the season in some capacity, even if it’s just as an impact player. He has been a big miss for us so the sooner he is back the better.”

Meanwhile, Challinor is still keen to bring in new faces as he waits on the fitness of his injured quartet. Central defenders Dom Collins and Steve Williams were both absent for the visit of AFC Telford United at the weekend, although Williams could be back to training over the next couple of days.

Fellow defender Josh Langley had a reaction to his groin injury during the game, forcing him off after half-an-hour and is a potential doubt for this weekend. James Hardy is struggling with a similar injury.