Danny Spiller has been given the all-clear by specialists to return to full training on Thursday.

The combative midfielder (pictured) was originally given a 12 week schedule to get back involved, following a freak finger injury, but has recovered in half the time.

He will wear a special cast to protect his damaged left index finger, which he feared losing when two of his three ligaments were snapped by a whack from the football in the game against Chesterfield at the end of January.

Spiller was seen by specialists at East Grinstead hospital on Tuesday.

"They’ve found a way to protect it and that means I can return to training properly now," said the 29-year-old.

"I had previously been involved as a floater, so nobody was tackling me, and up to a week ago it was still painful when I was in the gym.

"I’ve lost a fair bit of fitness but I want to try and play in the reserves now, possibly next week, and work as hard as I can on the cardiovascular stuff and get back as soon as possible."

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Spiller could even be back in time to be involved in next weekend’s match against Cheltenham Town.

"I will have to speak with the manager and get it cleared with the physio but that is my next aim," he said.

"It’s the business end of the season now and we are just four points off third place.

"We know other teams have games in hand over us but we’ve got points on the board and the absolute minimum for us is the play-offs.

"I’m looking forward to being a part of it now."

Spiller re-joined the Gills in the summer, after a three year spell away from the club which he started out at.

This season he was a regular in Andy Hessenthaler’s team, appearing 26 times before his injury. He has made 166 Gills appearances in total.

He’s now thrilled to be on the verge of a comeback.

"I’ve missed it massively," he said. "It’s been so frustrating watching from the stands and I am really not a good spectator."

Where in the Gills team do you think Spiller will fit in once he returns?