Tanner closing in on first-team comeback

CARDIFF CITY winger Ollie Tanner has returned to full training and is closing in on a first-team comeback after four months out with an ankle injury.

- GLEN WILLIAMS Football writer glen [e-mail]

The 23-year-old suffered the setback when he crashed into an advertising board during the 1-0 win at AFC Wimbledon in August. He is now expected to be available for selection in January.

"Ollie's back in full training today, which is a big boost," head coach Brian Barry-Murphy said.

"There's obviously a huge disappointment when he suffered the injury he did at Wimbledon but, at this time of the year when the games are coming so thick and fast, to have somebody of his calibre coming back into the squad is very much like a new signing for us.

"If we could recruit Ollie Tanner in the window in January, we would be over the moon, so to have him come back into our squad available for selection in January would be massive for us."

Barry-Murphy urged caution with the winger's reintegration but said Tanner is feeling "very good" as his workload increases.

Centre-back Gabriel Osho is also edging closer to a return. The 27-year-old, who injured his big toe in last week's 5-1 EFL Trophy defeat to AFC Wimbledon, is back in partial training and could be available within a fortnight.

"There's no fracture, which is great news," Barry-Murphy added. "If things continue to go well, that two-week timeframe is realistic."