Will Puddy Can Dance Again

BRISTOL Rovers boss Darrell Clarke has been handed a boost by the return to fitness of goalkeeper Will Puddy.

Puddy has been suffering with a difficult groin complaint for the best part of 12 months and has managed just one first-team appearance since the start of the season.

That ended after 45 minutes at Dagenham on December 19 when Puddy pulled up with a related injury that has sidelined him for a further six weeks.

He returned to training last week though, and Clarke confirmed: "Will would probably have made it as far as the bench if the game against Wimbledon had gone ahead on Saturday.

"He suffered a grade two tear in his groin muscle at Dagenham, but his rehabilitation has gone without a hitch and he returned to full training last week."

Puddy, who had taken over as Clarke's number 1 towards the end of last season, will have a fight on his hands to regain first-choice status following a return to form for Steve Mildenhall.

The long-serving shot-stopper was dropped by Clarke in August and told to consider his future, but has made an impressive return since taking command between the posts again when replacing Puddy at Dagenham.

"Mildy has done really well since he has come back in and has staked his claim," said Clarke. "Will being back back just gives me two good goalkeepers competing for that number 1 spot."