By Simon Smedley, Sports Editor of the Stockport Express

County's Northern Ireland international striker Peter Thompson is back in light training and looks likely to make a welcome return to first-team action before the end of the season.

Thompson has been out since the turn of the year when he suffered a collapsed lung following a chest infection, an ailment which forced him into a period of six weeks' complete rest and recuperation.

However Thompson, signed last summer from Linfield, is almost back in business again.

Hatters boss Jim Gannon said: "Pete's been doing some fitness work, he's well into a good week's work now.

"He's looking in good shape, but he's a naturally fit lad anyway and he is putting plenty of hard work in.

"Hopefully he'll get the all-clear to resume full training with the lads next week. Pete hasn't kicked a ball in anger yet, but it won't be long.

"He's itching to play a game again. Hopefully he'll get a few in before the end of the season.

"Maybe he'll be available for the Easter games, we're hoping so."

For his part, Thompson appears happy to bide his time following his spell on the sidelines.

The 24-year-old front-man said: "We'll see how things go, I'm not going to get ahead of myself.

"The aim is to get myself fit before the end of the season and stay that way.

"I'll look towards next season, but If I get back before the end of this season that's even better.

"Touch-wood that'll be me for a while and I'll get back injury-free and stay that way."

Meanwhile, while there's positive news about Thompson ahead of two tough trips to Northampton and Bristol Rovers over the next two weekends, there is a new worry surrounding the fitness of defender Johnny Mullins.

Boss Gannon said: "There's a major concern over Johnny. We think he might have suffered a fracture of the fourth metetarsal bone in his foot.

"We're waiting for confirmation, but if that is the case Johnny will be out for the rest of the season unfortunately.

"It's a real shame because Johnny picked up the injury following an innocuous challenge during training last Friday."

Mullins, who has skippered the County side on a number of occasions this season, missed the game against Leyton Orient last weekend.
 
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