Sam Vokes edges nearer return to Wolves

Wolves striker Sam Vokes has returned to light training - but will remain out of contention for up to four weeks.

The 20-year-old tore his hamstring within 10 minutes of his debut on loan at Bristol City last month.

Vokes is around halfway through his recovery period and stressed he is still well short of being fit as he continues to work at Compton.

But, after being loaned to the Ashton Gate club until January, the Wales international wants to make up for lost time. "I'm making good progress," said Vokes. "I've been outside doing a bit of jogging this week and it's nice to be out of the gym.

"I've been out for three-and-a-half weeks and it will probably be the same again before I'm back."

Vokes had been touted as a possible answer to boss Mick McCarthy's striking dilemma after Andy Keogh was allowed to join Cardiff before Birmingham's Marcus Bent was signed on loan.

But the youngster cannot play for Wolves again until his loan expires. "The loan runs to January so I think the plan is to go back to Bristol City," said Vokes.

"Hopefully I can get some game time there, which was the main objective of going, and if I can do that, hopefully some goals will come as well."

Vokes admitted his frustration after being injured so quickly.

"It was very frustrating," he said. "I thought I'd had a good pre-season and got up to a good level of fitness.

"I went on loan to get some football and unfortunately within 10 minutes tore my hamstring, which was a bit of a nightmare.

"I was just trying to bring a ball out of the air and stretched a bit too far and it popped. I tore it quite badly."

Vokes also had to cope with a change of manager after Steve Coppell's unexpected decision to quit.

Thankfully, the striker already knew Keith Millen, who stepped up from number two into the hotseat.

"I get on quite well with Keith," he said.

"It's not a massive change so hopefully I can get in the team."