Bristol City star Jamie McCombe is set to step up his comeback from injury this week.

Sidelined by a pelvic problem since Christmas, the 6ft 5in centre-back was forced to watch City's rise up the Championship table from the touchlines after undergoing surgery in mid-January.

But the Yorkshireman is making a quicker-than-expected recovery and resumed light training last week. And he is expected to rejoin the first team squad and take part in regular training sessions within the next few days.

City manager Gary Johnson confirmed: "Jamie will be back in normal training with the other lads quite soon. I would like to think that will happen some time in the next week.

"He's been working with the physios and has already come through some pitch sessions and running without any problems.

"I don't think he's far away now and, once he's back in with the other lads, we'll think about getting him some football.

"Jamie will definitely need a couple of reserve team games before he's ready to challenge for a first team place."

City's quest for the play-offs has been further boosted by news that midfield powerhouse Marvin Elliott is making steady progress in his recovery from long-term injury.

The former Millwall man tore a groin muscle during last month's 2-0 win over Plymouth Argyle at Home Park and has not kicked a ball in anger since. But his rehabilitation is going as planned and the 24-year-old Londoner should be ready to return to first team action by mid-March.

Johnson said: "Marvin always thinks he's going to be alright by tomorrow, so we have to try and slow him down a bit for his own good.

"He loves playing football and he's not the best of watchers. But he's doing as he's told and is making good progress.

"Marvin is still working on his rehabilitation, but he's a naturally fit lad and he should be only about three or four weeks away from playing again."

Elliott and McCombe are regarded as hugely influential figures, yet neither has been missed, especially during a run which has seen City win six and draw one of their last seven games to climb from 16th to eighth in the table.

"We've been getting away with it so far," said Johnson, whose decision to promote Liam Fontaine and Cole Skuse to the starting line-up has been deemed an overwhelming success.

"It just goes to show how strong a squad we have this season," added the manager.

"We have competition in every position and, whenever one player drops out, another is always ready to come in and do a job for the team.

"That's the beauty of the squad and it's a nice position to be in knowing we're doing well and have two such outstanding players to come back in later in the season."