DAVID Thompson could be back in action before the end of the month.

The injury-jinxed Blackburn Rovers midfielder has not kicked a ball in anger since the final day of last season after his knee flared up again during pre-season training.

However, the gutsy 27-year-old is said to be making 'good progress' in his latest attempt at a comeback and Rovers' medical staff are hopeful he could be ready to start training again in 10 days' time.

Rovers' executive chairman, John Williams, said today: "David's doing well and he's well on with his rehabilitation programme.

"He's finished his visits to Germany now, where he was seeing a specialist, and the medical staff are very pleased with how he's progressing.

"It's hoped that he may be ready to resume training again the week after next, which would be a big boost for Mark (Hughes) and his coaching staff."

Thompson has been plagued by a succession of injury problems since he joined Rovers in a £1.5 million deal from Coventry in the summer of 2002.

The former Liverpool star, who has made just 58 league appearances for Blackburn, has undergone two separate knee operations in the space of the last two years and he also went under the knife at the beginning of the summer to repair a minor ankle problem.

It's his knee, however, which remains Thompson's biggest concern but the one-time England squad member is now hoping he can see a light at the end of the tunnel following a number of consultations with Doctor Hans Wilhem Muller-Wolfhart, the world-renowned German specialist who lists Michael Owen, Steven Gerrard, Paula Radcliffe and Darren Gough amongst his list of former patients.

Thompson may have a tentative eye on the home reserve game against West Brom at the beginning of next month as the date for a possible competitive return but, after being out for so long, Rovers boss Mark Hughes will be anxious not to rush him back too soon.