DEAN KEATES is hoping Shaun Pearson will return to training in the next couple of weeks to boost Wrexham's promotion push.

The Reds' skipper missed the start of the season after undergoing foot surgery but he returned to play in the final three games of 2020.

But Pearson, who last featured in the 2-0 defeat at Stockport on December 28, is still having problems and Keates was braced for an extended spell on the sidelines.

However, Keates had good news to report after Pearson saw a specialist and the centre-back is set to return earlier than expected.

"Shaun is not a million miles away," said Keates.

"We have had a little bit of positive feedback so another couple of weeks he will be contributing.

"It is just a case of everything settling down. I don't want to be too optimistic, just more cautious.

"We are pushing him a little bit more but we have got to be in control of it how much we push him."

Keates admits the update from the specialist has allayed fears that Pearson might not play again.

"It is a lot more positive than it was leading up to it," said Keates.

"It is good for Shaun and it has also given him that mindset that there isn't loads wrong with it.

"At points, I was concerned for him and I think Shaun had concerns whether he might actually come back from this but he is in a better place and hopefully he will be back with the group in the next couple of weeks."

Fellow centre-back Theo Vassell, who missed seven games with an ankle injury, returned to the side for Saturday's 4-1 win over Wealdstone at The Racecourse.

However, Vassell was sent off in the second half after being shown his second yellow card and he will sit out this weekend's clash with high-flying Sutton United at Gander Green Lane.

"The first one is possibly a yellow card but the second one is petty," said Keates.

"If you are booking people for that, the game is going to be stop-start.

"We have got to take it on the chin, it is two yellows and we can't appeal against it.

"It was positive to get him back, he didn't look a million miles from where he was when he had his ankle injury."