Wolves striker Andy Keogh is geared up for a key role in the survival run-in after getting the all-clear to resume training this week.

And the 23-year-old is hoping he can come through his “first big tackle” in training to book a comeback in the all-important survival games fast approaching his team.

After a nine week recovery from ankle surgery, Keogh is will be back in the thick of full-on, first-team training next week with manager Mick McCarthy pencilling in the Turf Moor clash against fellow survival fighters Burnley in three weeks as the flexible front-runner’s probable comeback date.

McCarthy is anxious to have Keogh back in his calculations because the manager feels the forward’s ability to play up front or out wide is particularly useful in Wolves current tactical set up.

“But we won’t know how far he is down that path until he has taken his first crunching tackle,” said McCarthy this week.

And Keogh agrees sating: “I hope I have a role to play – that’s why I’ve worked so hard to get myself fit.

“I want to help the team out whenever I can. It’s just been frustrating sitting on the sidelines week in, week out, itching to get back out there.

“The first big tackle I go into will be a bit nervy but once I get that out of the way I’ll be happy. But the physios wouldn’t let me go out training unless the ankle is as strong as it can be.

“It’ll also be interesting to see how it holds up when I lash the ball. You have to get that mental block out of your head and just get through it because it’s physically strong enough.”

It was Keogh’s impressive form at the start of the season which lifted Wolves’ hopes of surviving the Premier League onslaught, a challenge since taken up by Kevin Doyle.

“It was very frustrating when I got injured because I felt that I could have contributed to the team in different games,” says the Irishman, who has deliberately kept a low profile while he has been fighting for fitness.

“I’d been feeling good with myself and then I had a freak accident in training. I’d never been out with a serious injury like that before.

“It’s been nine weeks now but I’ve worked hard and am looking forward to getting back into full training soon. The physios here have been brilliant and they have done everything possible to get me back as quickly as possible.

And he added: “We have some good games coming up that I want to be involved with – the ones against the teams around us, they are the ones that we want to be taking the most points from and giving our best performances.

“I’ve been to all the games except one and I’ve seen some good performances. We’ve picked up points and plugged along and stayed with the pack so we’ve got every chance.”