CURTIS Nelson has a chance of playing for Oxford United before the end of the season, according to caretaker boss Derek Fazackerley.

The 24-year-old has been out since rupturing one of his Achilles tendons against Northampton Town.

At the time he was ruled out for the season, but has since made good progress.

United are wary about pushing Nelson back too quickly from such a serious injury.

But Fazackerley has revealed the centre back is on course to make a return to full training by the end of the month, five weeks before the end of the campaign.

He said: “Curtis has made progress, there’s no doubt about that and hopefully in another couple of weeks he’ll be in full-time training.

“Whether that will be in time for the remaining games, we’ll have to wait and see.

“Just to get him back on the training field again, his influence around the place would be good.”

He added: “Of course if we can get him back for a few games this season then fantastic, but at the end of the day his career is the most important thing.

“He’s got to make sure that whenever he’s brought back in he’s ready for it.”