SEAN O'Driscoll believes simple determination has been the key factor in Simon Cox's remarkable recovery from injury.
The Nottingham Forest striker could be included in the squad at Brighton on Saturday, just three weeks after he sustained ligament damage to his ankle the club feared could see him sidelined for a minimum of two months.
The 25-year-old is set to join in full training today and the manager believes Cox's positive attitude has been a key factor.
"They say a lot of things are mental and the fact he is so keen to get back is going to help," said O'Driscoll. "He desperately wants to get back to fitness.
"Before he came off injured against Wolves, he had been playing really well, which was the biggest disappointment.
"And he had been playing really well generally, so he does want to get back to that as quickly as possible.
"He is not the type who wants to sit around on the treatment table, if he can help it.
"We had resigned ourselves to not having him until the end of January. So, to suddenly have him in contention for this weekend – even if he does not actually end up being in the squad – is a great boost."
Cox suffered a detached ligament and a minor fracture after falling awkwardly at Molineux.
And the outlook was initially bleak, admits O'Driscoll, saying: "Initially, the medical staff warned me that he could be on crutches for two to three weeks, with a protective boot.
"But then, the next thing is you see him walking around in trainers, unaided and without pain.
"It is a positive for us. He has defied medical opinion. We were told he should still have been on crutches now – but he has been running on the treadmill.
"The medical staff are a little wary of pushing him too far. But he is keen to be involved as soon as he can be. He will train today and see how he is.
"He may be somebody that, if we are not going to risk any damage to his ankle, could be a wildcard for us this weekend.
"He has been running, he has been out on the grass and he has kicked a few balls. We don't want to push him too far. He looks like he will be okay come the Christmas period, if Saturday does prove to be too soon."
