Danny Higginbotham and Ricardo Fuller have returned to training with Stoke City following a six-month lay-off with a knee injury.
32-year old defender Higginbotham ruptured his knee in April whilst Fuller has been sidelined with an Achilles injury for the same timeframe.
Stoke boss Tony Pulis confirmed the pair were close to being back in action although Higginbotham was more advanced than Fuller.
"Ric is doing really well, but is perhaps a couple of weeks behind Danny," Pulis told The Sentinel.
"But Danny is back in full training and that has given everyone here a massive boost.
"Having let Danny Pugh and Danny Collins go on loan, we have put our faith in Danny to be part of the squad.
"He has been a great player for this football club and we are really pleased to get him back."
