CAPTAIN marvel James Haynes will make a surprise return to York City Knights' travelling party tomorrow - a sign his latest injury nightmare could be nearing an end earlier than expected.

The inspirational full-back, who missed all of 2012 due to a sciatic nerve problem and wrote off 2013 before returning to fitness and form in 2014, has been sidelined for the last nine matches due to another issue with his back.

However, he underwent a minor procedure following talks with a specialist and, after he returned to training this week with no ill-effects, hopes are high he is on his way back again.

Haynes will not play in tomorrow's League One match at Hemel Stags (2.30pm) but head coach James Ford was keen to get him back on the bus.

"We'll put him through more training before he plays but it's good to get him back in and around the place," said Ford, who - as revealed by The Press this week - will also have Kriss Brining and Micky Learmonth making long-awaited returns to the line-up after injury.

"James is a leader, he's our team captain, and it will be beneficial for everyone to have him with us.

"He's not ready to play yet but James knows his body better than I do and he seems pretty confident he's approaching good nick."

Only a month ago, Ford feared 26-year-old Haynes' season might even be over after he suffered a setback in his rehab.

The Knights coach said: "I don't want to rush him. He's aware he's important to us as a player and a person. We will bring him back slowly so that he's back for the long haul.

"His influence and temperament are important to us. He's mentally tough and under stress he comes up with the goods. It'll be great to have him fit for the business end of the season."