The combative midfielder is making better than expected progress as he recovers from the serious knee injury he suffered in the third game of the season at Lancaster City.

And he is starting to get more mobility into the joint, raising his hopes that he will achieve his target.

"This is the first progress I have had for about four or five weeks," he said, "Now I can bend the knee I feel great.

"I should be jogging by Christmas time so I am delighted.

"I have the mentality that means I will not be beaten by anything.

"I will be back before the end of the season without a shadow of a doubt.

"I have been told 16 to 18 weeks from the injury but I am determined it will be shorter than that because I will do everything right.

"It feels like I have been out for about six months already.

"I am glad we are winning, but it is terrible having to watch games when you want to be out there."

Clegg did not even make it to half time in the August Bank Holiday clash at the Giant Axe, crumpling in a heap next to an advertising hoarding.

"It was a freak accident," he said. "But I knew straight away something was wrong.

"I had never felt pain like it in my life.

"I thought I had broken my leg and I was blinded by the pain for about 30 seconds.

"Then I wanted to go back on, but Alan told me I wasn't going anywhere."

"I have been swimming twice a day and in the gym," he said. "I can't wait to get on the bikes now.

"The amount of work I have been doing means I will be twice as strong when I come back."

Once he gets back to fitness, he is determined to show the Town fans what they have been missing in his absence.

"As I lay in the hospital bed after being told I had damaged my cruciate all I could think about was the fact I had signed for the best club I have ever played for and I wasn't going to be able to play," he said.

"I have only played a few games and haven't really had a chance to show anyone what I can do."

Town's Unibond One North game against Mossley at the Shay, has been rearranged for November 4.