Notts County boss Keith Curle hopes on-loan striker Jonathan Forte will be able to play again before the end of the season.
Forte, on loan from Southampton, has not played for the Magpies since fracturing three bones in his face during the 5-2 home defeat against Sheffield United on March 20.
After undergoing surgery the 25-year-old then suffered an infection, but Curle anticipates he will soon receive the all-clear to start rebuilding his fitness.
"He has been on a course of antibiotics so hopefully the infection will soon clear up and he might be able to step up his physical exertions from then, but we don't want to do anything until he gets the all-clear from the doctor," said Curle. "Once he gets that, it is going to be a mini pre-season for him so we can get a level of fitness to enable him to be available before the end of the season.
"He is a naturally fit lad. Give him a ball and he wants to play. It would be like getting a new player if we were able to get into the play-offs."
Forte scored five goals in 10 league games for Notts, including a hat-trick against league leaders Charlton, before suffering his injury.
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