Hull City are hoping injured striker Sone Aluko will return to first-team action before the end of the month.
Aluko, 23, was expected to be sidelined for up to eight weeks when scans revealed he had a slight tear in his Achilles tendon and manager Steve Bruce had written off February for the former Birmingham striker.
But Aluko, whose eight goals have helped propel Hull into automatic promotion contention following his release from Rangers and subsequent arrival at the KC Stadium in the summer, has not ruled out a comeback in the home game against Blackburn on February 19 or at Bolton the following Saturday.
To find out more about live football on Sky Sports, Click here
The 21-year-old, who saved a penalty against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup last month, will be sidelined for up to eight weeks with a groin injury.
"I am absolutely gutted because I was, I believe, playing well and I was enjoying my time at the club," he told the Bees' website.
"I will now miss the majority of the season, well what is left of it, but I am determined to come back stronger than ever."
