BURNLEY goalkeeper Danny Coyne is back on the road to recovery after getting the green light to step up training.

The Welsh number one had the staples removed from his knee yesterday, following surgery two weeks ago to repair the cruciate knee injury that brought a sudden halt to his season.

Coyne is still working to a timeframe that should see him back to full fitness just as the current campaign draws to a close.

But he is ready to hit the ground running in the faint hope he could even return earlier than expected.

Coyne said: "I'm just going to see how I go. I have set myself small targets because the thought of playing again is still too far in the future.

"The surgeon said six to nine months from the injury to playing again, which takes me to round about the end of the season.

"If it heals before then that would be brilliant but I can't plan on a date. The surgeon also said I should be looking to put the gloves on again in a few weeks and if that's the case I will be very happy."

Coyne, 32, will initially undergo a gruelling daily routine of squats, cycling and gym work to build up his strength.

And after suffering his second injury in as many years, following the detaches knee tendon that kept him sidelined for three months last season, the Clarets stopper is doubly determined to bounce back.

"I hadn't had an injury for seven years until I came to Burnley and now it's two in as many years," he added.

"You just want to play and show the fans you can do a job and at the moment it looks like I'm injury prone, which has been so frustrating.

"I've had to wait six or seven weeks before having the operation to let the medial ligament heal. I've waited for everything to heal and it's done that quite well.

"The surgeon said everything went well with the op and it's all about the rehabilitation now. It's all about getting the muscle built up and gaining movement and mobility.

"The next few weeks will be quite repetitive stuff I would imagine but you won't find me complaining."