The skilful winger, who has been out of action for over a year, underwent operations on both knees in a bid to cure inflammation of his patella tendons. On Tuesday manager Mick McCarthy stated the 24-year-old could finally see light at the end of the tunnel, although the former non-league man is not getting carried away by his progress. Kightly is naturally delighted the operations were a success and he is undergoing rehab with the hope of resuming running in just over a month's time. The former Grays Athletic ace is not thinking about working his way into McCarthy's 25-man squad and has confirmed he would be open to leaving on loan to boost match fitness. "The surgeon was really pleased with how the operation went," he told the club's official website. "He had less fluid to clear out on the left knee than on the right so I've got less swelling which is already a positive. "As long as I don't rush my rehab, which clearly I'm not going to do, then I'll be fine. I've got to carry on having treatment and doing strengthening work and hopefully I'll be running again maybe four weeks from now. "I'm not even thinking about that (squad of 25) to be honest. It would be silly of me to start setting targets especially after being out for so long. The last thing I want to do is rush back. "I need to make sure that the rest of my body is good as well as my knees because having been out for so long my body is almost de-conditioned to play football. "It will take time to get it re-conditioned again. Who knows? We might not have 25 players in January and I may end up in there by default. "But otherwise it's about getting myself fit and if that does go well maybe get out on loan and try and play some games. Then it will be looking towards having a good season here next year."
