Defender Jim McNulty is aiming to return to first team action in the next week.

The left-back, on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion, came off with an ankle injury in the closing stages of the 2-0 defeat at QPR a fortnight ago.

He was originally ruled out for three to four weeks, but the Liverpudlian says he's on target in his bid to return to the side as soon as possible.

He told The Iron Player: "It's healing quite well to be fair. I think the initial assessment was that I would be out for three weeks - that's what (physio) Alex Dalton told me.

"I think that could very well be correct too.

"It's been two weeks now. I was hoping to get back for Saturday but I don't know whether that will come too early for me.

"It's healing well enough anyway so it's looking good.

"It might be a case of aiming for Sheffield United away on Tuesday but, again, that might come too early.

"We'll just have to see how the next few days go.

"I'll keep working hard but it's feeling a lot better than it was.

"The damage was bone bruising, the ligaments are healing quite well but bone bruising can be frustrating and slow you down a little bit."

See in-depth interviews with Jim McNulty and Michael Raynes on The Iron Player.