By MARK EDWARDS OXFORD United have recieved a huge boost with the news that giant striker Kevin Francis is two months ahead of schedule for his comeback.

Francis was stretchered off with a ruptured Achilles tendon after just 16 minutes of the 5-0 final day victory over his former club Stockport last season.

United physio John Clinkard said that Francis would be out until at least Christmas, but after receiving what boss Malcolm Shotton called "a great report and scan from the specialist," the huge striker is looking to be back in training by October.

Francis, who missed most of last season through a succession of knee problems, is at Lilleshall this week to undergo further tests, but the news is encouraging.

"Kevin is ahead of schedule," said Shotton. "Hopefully, he will be back in full training by the end of October.

"He's a great professional and if you tell him to go and do something he will do it. You can turn your back and be sure that he's doing what you've told him."

The 6ft 7in striker - the tallest in the Nationwide League - joined the club in February '98 from Birmingham City as part of the swap deal that saw Darren Purse head in the other direction. He scored seven goals in just 15 appearances in his first season with Oxford. The scintillating start Francis enjoyed with United made him an instant hit with the fans whose chants of 'Super Kev' ring round the Manor whenever he pulls on the yellow shirt.

Francis himself, while obviously delighted at the news, vowed to take things slowly and not push himself too hard to make a comeback.

"It all seems to be going well," he said. "But after the mistake with my knee, I'll let the injury take however long it needs to heal."

"I'm doing strengthening exercises at the moment and started running two weeks ago. Basically, I'm doing everything but ball work.

"It's very frustrating for me because if the lads are playing well, then you want to get involved with what they're doing. But at the same time, if things are not going so well, you want to be involved and try to help them out.

"All being well though, I should be up to full training in about the next three weeks."

Meanwhile, midfielder Paul Tait was still described by Shotton as being "very, very sore" yesterday after limping out of United's weekend defeat at Luton.

Story date: Wednesday 29 September

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