A LONG-AWAITED first-team debut could be just a fortnight away for Tony Capaldi after a “deeply frustrating” nine months on the sidelines.

The defender has endured a nightmare run since signing for Oxford United, with back and knee problems preventing him from figuring in manager Chris Wilder’s plans.

But there is now light at the end of the tunnel and the Northern Ireland international completed 45 minutes for the reserves earlier this month.

Another run-out is expected next week at Luton Town.

Capaldi is optimistic of getting into contention for the first-team in the run-in, although the 30-year-old acknowledges it may be tough to force a way into a successful side.

“I’ll be available for selection in two or three weeks,” he said.

“But you’re entering the last five or six games of the season – the players who have been in the team have done really well, they’ve got the jerseys to keep hold of, but you never know with a few injuries I might be back in before the end of the season.

“When you’re going for promotion they’re all massive games and there’s always the prospect of the play-offs.

“All I’ve got to do is get myself as fit as I can and mentally ready so if I get called upon, hopefully I’ll be ready to take my chance.

“I think everything’s structured here for promotion and the team looks like it’s definitely good enough, so it’s up to us to get the results now.”

Capaldi experienced promotion with Plymouth Argyle eight seasons ago and believes the U’s are doing everything they can to go up.

He said: “We (Plymouth) had really good momentum, which Oxford have got at the minute and you just need to keep that going.

“We haven’t lost many recently, it’s about keeping the run going and not letting your standards slip, which we haven’t done.”

The former Birmingham City trainee has experienced extended spells out injured before which have helped him keep a level head, but it has still been a tough time.

“It’s been deeply frustrating,” he said.

“I’ve broken my leg and had a couple of knee operations, so I’ve had a couple of seasons like this before.

“It does help a bit, but when you get a bit older in your career you don’t want to be missing seasons through injury, you haven’t got many years left.”