Pompey’s promotion rivals could be set to welcome back top scorers

James Collins could be set for a remarkable return after being ruled out for the rest of the season

Derby County’s 13-goal striker suffered a knee ligament injury against Exeter City in February.

His recovery was initially judged by doctors to take around 12 weeks minimum, but he has returned to training and warmed up on the pitch before Derby's 1-0 loss to Northampton last Saturday.

Paul Warne has revealed that Collins told him that he felt ready to play in the huge second v third clash against Bolton the previous weekend. However, the Rams boss and the medical team didn't feel that the 33 year-old was ready.

It is undecided yet as to whether Collins will be cleared to return for tomorrow’s visit of Blackpool – or he could figure in next Tuesday’s massive fixture at Fratton Park.

Warne is certainly in need of a firepower boost as Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Dwight Gayle are likely to miss the next few matches with hamstring injuries.

Gayle limped off in the first half of the win against Bolton a fortnight ago and Mendez-Laing – the leading assists provider in the division – picked up his injury at Northampton.

*Bolton are also set for a striking boost as top goalscorer Dion Charles returned to training.

The Northern Ireland international has not featured since he suffered a knee injury against Wycombe last month.

After winning just three of the nine games Charles has missed, Evatt is now hoping to welcome him back into contention prior to tomorrow’s visit to Stevenage and Monday’s trip to Reading.

Charles has netted 13 times in 29 third tier starts this season, though he has drawn a blank in his last seven appearances.

Bolton’s second top league scorer, 10-goal Victor Adeboyejo, has missed the last two games through injury.