Nottingham Forest boss Sabri Lamouchi says full-back Yuri Ribeiro will “very soon” be back in contention for a first-team place.
And he is hopeful midfielder Samba Sow and defenders Carl Jenkinson, Yohan Benalouane and Michael Hefele will not be too far behind.
But it remains to be seen whether the trip to Huddersfield Town on Saturday may come too soon for any of the quintet.
Full-back Ribeiro last featured in the victory over arch-rivals Derby County at the start of November, being sidelined since with a knee problem.
Sow (hamstring) has been out since October and Jenkinson (ankle) since August, while Benalouane (back) and Hefele (Achilles) have not featured yet this season.
“Yuri will very soon be back with the squad,” Lamouchi said.
“Samba Sow as well. Jenkinson as well. Yohan Benalouane and Hefele as well.
“Step by step we are all together.”
Benalouane made a goalscoring return for the Reds’ Under-23s last week, playing the full 90 minutes and scoring in a 3-3 draw against Sheffield Wednesday.
Sow played the first 45 minutes of that match.
“They were good,” Lamouchi said.
“He played 45 minutes without any problems or any pain, so it is very positive.
“Of course they are close.”
