Duff on the way back

Last updated : 01 February 2008 By Tony Scholes
Michael Duff
He required immediate surgery to repair his lateral ligament and hamstring tendon and had also suffered cruciate ligament damage. All of that ensured he wouldn't kick a ball again all season, or so we thought.

The first real positive news came in December. Duff went for an exploratory operation to determine the extent of the damage to the cruciate and learned that no further surgery was necessary. He was on the road back, although even then it wasn't expected that he'd be playing in a game in January.

He was considered for the reserve game at Accrington nine days ago but the heavy conditions were the reason he didn't, but on Wednesday he played a full ninety minutes in a behind closed doors game against Crewe.

Duff still has some way to go, and he'll need to get some reserve games in to build things up and get some match fitness. But he's on his way back and that's brilliant news.