CONNOR Gater looks set to be lined up with a “short-term” loan move as he continues to battle back to full fitness.

The crocked midfielder returned to training on Tuesday after a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a persistent toe problem.

Manager Carl Heeley praised the 24-year-old, who made 37 appearances last season, for keeping himself in “good shape” physically.

But, having only featured a couple of times in pre-season before the issue flared up, Heeley said Gater was taking “little steps” towards a return to first-team action.

Heeley revealed he was planning to send him out on loan for a month to improve his chances of getting back into his side.

“Connor hasn’t really had a pre-season, so even though he has started training again it’s more of a case of whether he gets a reaction or not,” he said.

“He’s weeks away from selection and we might have to consider whether a short-term loan is an option to try to get him some minutes.”

Gater has had an injection in his foot in a bid to repair his troublesome toe and avoid having to go under the knife.

“It was the first time he trained on Tuesday night, so we’ll see whether the injection works or whether surgery is the only option for him. Our fingers are crossed.

“But it’s little steps. You train until you are pain-free and then you have to work on your general fitness but, to be fair to Connor, he is in good shape.

“So hopefully, with a bit of luck, he will be OK and we can just get him out for a month to get some games under his belt.”

Striker Colby Bishop and left-sided Cieron Keane are expected to return for Saturday’s home Vanarama National League North clash against Stalybridge Celtic (3pm).

Bishop and Keane missed City’s 0-0 draw at Boston United last weekend with a dead leg and a head injury respectively.

Heeley said experienced defender James Chambers could also be in contention for a place after training with City this week.

The 35-year-old has been recovering from a hamstring injury sustained against Gainsborough Trinity more than a month ago.

However, Heeley said he was happy to let the former West Brom and Leicester City player decide when he was ready to play.

“James has been out for a number of weeks now, so we will have to see whether he is available for selection or we leave it another week,” Heeley added.

“Having had a year out of the game, it’s not unusual when you do come back to pick up some soft tissue injuries.

“He wants to be sure and we want to be sure as we don’t want him to break down and the same thing happen again.

“So if he feels he needs another week then it would be stupid not to listen to the player.”