Karly Akehurst could return to action for Worthing before the end of the season.

The influential midfielder suffered a broken ankle at the start of December which was expected to rule him out for the remainder of the campaign.

Akehurst is still in plaster but is making good progress in his recovery and has pencilled in a return in early April as his target.

Worthing's regular season is due to finish on April 24 but if they reached the play-offs the programme would be extended.

Akehurst was an ever-present until the injury and a key figure in the Rebels’ unexpected challenge for promotion from Ryman division one south.

Manager Simon Colbran will not be rushing Akehurst back but is buoyed by the possibility of an early return.

He said: “He could be back in action in April.

“Everything has gone to plan and is going really well. There is a chance of him starting light training at the beginning of March.

“If he could come back fit, it would be a major boost to us.

“We are up there at the moment and we have to have a go for the play-offs.”

In the meantime, Colbran has signed cover for Akehurst in the shape of Tunbridge Wells midfielder Kevin Brown.

Brown, who has also played for Tonbridge Angels and Gravesend, could be added to the squad for Saturday's game at Walton Casuals.

Ryan Woodford has also given Colbran a boost by announcing he is ready to return to light training this week.

Midfielder Woodford scored on his debut in a Sussex Senior Cup win against Horsham YMCA in early November after signing from Andover but suffered knee ligament damage a fortnight later.