YORK City skipper Darren Edmondson is hoping to kick-start his season within days.

The influential defender has been out since the end of August with a lingering calf problem that has refused to heal and been blighted by bone-hard pitches.

However, under the guidance of City physiotherapist Jeff Miller, Edmondson is edging closer to a return to full fitness.

Today's reserve team game at home to Lincoln City has come just too soon for the former Huddersfield Town and Carlisle United player.

But Edmondson told the Evening Press he could be kicking again by the end of the week.

"I don't like to put a time-scale on when I might be back," said the 31-year-old.

"I would rather build it up and build it up and when Jeff says I'm ready to come back I'll come back.

"But, hopefully, I'll be kicking a ball by next week, if not before then."

The news will delight City and player-boss Chris Brass in particular.

Since Edmondson's injury, City have won just twice in eight attempts after starting the season under his captaincy with four straight wins.

Edmondson scoffed at the suggestion City's unrivalled start to the campaign had been down to his leadership but his experience has been sorely missed.

"The results have been a bit mixed since I've been out but I don't think that's had anything to do with me," he reasoned.

"The fact is I don't like watching games and I just want to be back playing.

"When the team is winning you want to be a part of it and enjoying it.

"When the team is losing you want to be in there helping out."

He admitted it had been a frustrating time, particularly because when he first suffered the injury in the 3-0 defeat at Lincoln it was only expected to keep him sidelined for a couple of weeks.

"It's been five very long weeks," he confirmed.

"It was bit difficult to diagnose to start with.

"I felt it early on in the game but carried on playing which probably didn't help.

"It didn't heal properly so there has probably been some kind of tear.

"I've been doing quite a bit of running now and it is reasonably pain free, which can only be a good sign.

"Perhaps if the reserves had been later in the week I might have been able to play.

"There is still a slight bit of discomfort but it is really a case of building my strength up now."

Edmondson reckons the long, hot summer and dry weather played a significant part in his injury.

"I think the hard grounds were probably the cause of it at the start," he said.

"We didn't have any rain for ages and through August and September the training ground was like a car park.

"The lack of rain was definitely a factor."

City reserves from: Porter, Downes, Davies, Smith, Wise, Kelly, Skinner, Brackstone, Parkin, Wilford, Stewart, Arthur, Redi, Law, Coad, Ashcroft.

Updated: 11:16 Wednesday, October 08, 2003