Bolton Wanderers midfielder Andrew Tutte is poised to be back read y to play for the Trotters in their Boxing Day trip to Carlisle United.
The 30-year-old central midfielder has been out injured for Wanderers with a thigh injury since coming off early in the 3-0 victory against Southend United at the end of November.
In that match, Tom White come on to replace Tutte.
In the last four games, teenager George Thomason has filled the central midfield berth which has been left by Tutte's absence.
He was initially expected to be out until 2021.
But there has been positive progress since then with the midfielder's rehabilitation.
He has returned to training this week and Bolton manager Ian Evatt has confirmed that he is 'back and available' for the trip to Brunton Park on Boxing Day which he believes is a 'positive'.
Tutte's defensive capabilities in central midfield have bee missed to an extent during his absence, during which time Wanderers have lost three of the four games played.
But with Tutte not being available of late, Evatt said Wanderers are doing the best they can without him, believing that Thomason was Bolton's best player in their most recent defeat against Tranmere Rovers.
"I thought George was out best player again. I thought George was excellent and he’s 18-years-old and he’s having the ball in tight areas," Evatt said.
"He’s being good with the ball.
"Is Tuttey important for the way we play? Yeah of course he is, but again we have to pick what’s available and he’s not available so we’re doing the best we can."
