Rangers' Jon Sheldon gets all-clear

Stafford Rangers winger Jon Sheldon has been given the all-clear to return to full training as he targets a first-team comeback after knee surgery.

Sheldon has missed all of pre-season and the start of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League campaign after going under the knife in July.

The left-sided wide man has been given the go-ahead by a specialist to work full pelt towards reaching match fitness and a return to action.

And Rangers boss Greg Clowes has ruled out the 24-year-old being sent out on loan before he pulls on a shirt for the club again.

Clowes said: "Jon is making great strides with his fitness, he will back quicker than I thought he would be, he's taken part in everything.

"The one thing that is for sure is that he won't be going out on loan to get himself match fit, he will be going straight in.

"That's how much I rate the lad."

The Rangers boss was less optimistic about the current status of midfielder Christian Dacres, with his knee not responding to treatment.

Clowes said: "We have had no change about Christian as of late, he's not improved and has still some tenderness around his knee.

"Until that goes, it's just going to make it worse."

While Rangers defender Jermaine Johnson could be out for the season with a broken leg, midfielder Sean Kinsella has started his comeback.

Kinsella's rehabilitation continues at his local swimming pool and Clowes admitted the 20-year-old is getting "bored" of the water.

He added: "We have to be careful with Sean, he's one of these lads who will try to run before he can walk. He wants to play football."