Dion Charles has stepped up his return from a knee injury but is unlikely to be risked against Exeter City on Saturday.

The 17-goal top scorer has missed the last six games for Wanderers but Ian Evatt hinted that he could be involved in next Tuesday’s home game against Oxford United.

Wanderers have scored 10 times in his absence but could bring him back at the Toughsheet Stadium against the U’s, who currently sit seventh in the table.

“He is getting better,” Evatt said. “He is probably not at the stage to return yet but certainly is getting pretty close. There are a few more box-ticking exercises he needs to complete before he returns fully to training and to be available to play. We’re hopeful that will be early next week.”

Josh Dacres-Cogley was taken off on Tuesday night with a foot injury but should be part of the squad travelling to St James Park.

“Cogs is OK,” Evatt said. “It was a strange one, more of a whack on the nerve which made his foot go numb. It settled pretty quickly so I think he will be fine.”

Wanderers are still looking towards the international break for goalkeeper Nathan Baxter to return from his wrist ligament injury but Evatt also supplied a positive update on striker Dan Nlundulu, who has been out of action since December.

The former Southampton star had surgery to repair a torn hamstring but has worked hard to get himself back into good condition over the last few weeks.

“Dan is doing very well and is back out running on the grass again,” he said. “He has just had some isokinetic testing today and the results were very positive.

“He has really dedicated himself to the rehab and I think in his mind he is looking potentially towards the last four or five games of the season.

“We might need to temper that enthusiasm because we need to make the right call for him. We need to make sure we don’t risk any re-injury.

“But he is absolutely flying at the minute and it is great to see. Fingers crossed we can get him back but there are no guarantees.”

George Johnston has also talked up his chances of returning before the end of the season and Evatt says seeing him return to the training group recently has been a huge boost.

“Jonno would tackle his granny, we know that,” he said. “He is walking around the training ground and kicking everyone, desperate to be back.

“He is joining in parts of training now, which is a real positive, and he will be back in full contact within the next couple of weeks.

“If you ask him – he’s ready to go. But the medical team has been brilliant with all the injured lads, so we will take guidance from them.”