RICHARD Cooper's comeback mission has been buoyed by words of encouragement from York City team mate Peter Duffield.

The combative midfielder is facing a prolonged spell on the sidelines after suffering a broken leg and a deep gash in last month's 2-1 win over Hull City.

However, the former Nottingham Forest starlet is already on the mend and expects to be in contention for a first-team recall before the end of the season.

Cooper admits he has been spurred along the recovery trail by Duffield, who has only just returned to first-team action following two leg-breaks inside a year.

"There's no-one better to hear it from," said Cooper.

"'Duffs' has obviously been through it all before but he just told me to knuckle down and get on with it. He told me not to worry about it, just work hard and I would come back."

It is less than three weeks since Cooper suffered his cruel break following a horror tackle from Hull City's Nicky Mohan.

But already the 22-year-old has had his bandages taken off and his stitches removed and is now walking without the use of crutches.

"I don't know how long it is going to be. I'm due to see the specialist in a couple of weeks time so hopefully I'll know more then," he said.

"But I'm walking fine and on Monday I went on the exercise bike for 15 minutes and it went reasonably well.

"Jeff (Miller, the City physiotherapist) seems happy so I just need to keep things ticking over until I see the specialist."

Cooper admitted his injury could have been worse.

"Apparently the fibula is the best bone to fracture, which sounds a bit strange," he said.

"But if you are going to break a bone then that is the one. It is still a disappointment though.

"I was just starting to feel quite good and I was coming into a bit of form and I was enjoying my football.

"I'm definitely planning to be back before the end of the season, I would hope so."

Updated: 10:37 Saturday, February 16, 2002