LIAM Hearn could be back in a Grimsby Town shirt in time for the FA Trophy final at Wembley.
The striker who netted 29 times for the Mariners last season has been sidelined by a ruptured Achilles tendon for more than six months.
But, as revealed by the Telegraph, 'the Hitman' has now returned to training with his team-mates.
And joint boss Rob Scott admits that the final against Wrexham on Sunday, March 24, is a fantastic target for the 27-year-old to aim for.
However, the co-manager also sounded a note of caution following such a long-term lay-off for the former Alfreton Town forward.
"Liam is not far off from doing a full training session for us now," Scott told the Telegraph.
"We know what Liam's about when he's 100 per cent fit – not just regarding football sharpness but fit as in 'football-fit.'
"He's a long way from that, let's be fair, and it's a big ask for him to be involved at Wembley but I'm sure that's a good carrot for him to strive for and get to where he wants to be.
"I spoke to him the other day and he said he was feeling really fit. He is fit – but when it comes to a game it will be slightly different.
"We know what we've got available to us, and if Liam comes in and adds to that then great."
Scott also stressed that Hearn remains well down the pecking order among the Mariners' strikers as he continues his rehabilitation.
"He's got a chance of featuring in the final but, for me, that's detracting a little bit from what the other lads have done," he added.
"The likes of Ross Hannah, Andy Cook, Dayle Southwell, Richard Brodie and Lenell John-Lewis are all in front of Liam at the moment.
"I'm certainly not going to say for definite that he is going to be on the bench at Wembley.
"It's not fair to Liam to put that pressure on him and not fair to the other players that have been playing for the rest of the season."
