Dorrans has been out of action already for six weeks with the ankle injury suffered in training ahead of the home clash with Tottenham. Appleton accepts time is running out for Dorrans to get himself match fit, but he is not ruling the forward out for the season just yet. He said: "Graham is ticking along and doing his rehabilitation work, doing what is expected of him. "Hopefully we might see him before the end of the season, fingers crossed. "But it's one thing saying 'you're fit' and another thing saying 'you're match fit' and the games are running out now. "Deep down we know if Graham Dorrans comes back and plays any football between now and the end of the season that would be great for everyone. "But, if he doesn't, we've been playing without him for the last few weeks anyway and we'll just get on with it." Appleton added: "It would be foolish of us to start rushing players back in, especially when you've only got five games and five crucial games. "You want to be sure that every player that starts or comes on is 100% fit."
