CHERRIES star Wade Elliott could be ready to hand boss Sean O'Driscoll a timely boost by hitting the comeback trail.

Elliott has been sidelined since breaking the little toe on his right foot during Cherries' 1-0 win over Wrexham at Dean Court 19 days ago.

He was expected to be out for between four to six weeks, but could be on course to return earlier than anticipated after making good progress.

And should he come through a make-or-break training session today, the 25-year-old could link up with his team-mates when they head for Sheffield tomorrow.

His return would provide O'Driscoll's injury-hit squad with a much-needed tonic ahead of Cherries' League One clash against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough on Saturday.

Elliott, who was in impressive form until he suffered his injury setback, told the Daily Echo last night: "It's feeling a lot better so hopefully I may have a chance for Saturday.

"If everything goes to plan in training tomorrow then I would hope to travel on Friday and possibly be in contention for Saturday.

"Although I tried it last week and could still feel it, I've had another week now. But I need to train so we'll just have to wait and see how it is."

In a bid to eradicate any discomfort, Elliott was fitted with a thermo-plastic splint following a consultation with an occupational therapist at the Harbour Hospital in Poole.

Elliott added: "A thermo-plastic splint is something they heat up to make soft and then mould it around the outside of your toe.

"It sets hard and sits around the side of your foot.

"I've been wearing it in my trainers to get used to it and now I've got to see how I cope with it in my boots."

Elliott has been working on a strict fitness regime under the watchful eye of Cherries physio Jim Marshall, which has included a gruelling - and sometimes rather dicey - cycling programme.

He said: "Jim's had me cycling from Dean Court to Canford. It's gone well, but as a joke, some of the lads try to knock me off when I'm leaving the training ground! It's not too bad going, but it's tough coming back because it's all uphill!

"It's kept me ticking over and Jim's been working me pretty hard in the gym. My general fitness should be fine because I'm in decent shape anyway."

Elliott added: "It's been frustrating watching and I'm not a good spectator. We've had a few people out and a few of the lads have been playing with niggles.

"You can see how hard they are trying and when it's like that it makes it more frustrating because you want to get out there and see if you can make a difference.

"This is the first time I've been out injured in my career so I'm looking forward to getting back training and playing again as soon as possible."