Notts County midfielder Gavin Strachan today returned to full training after recovering from his latest hamstring set-back.

The 29-year-old has been out of action for the last month after suffering a slight tear to his hamstring in the 1-1 draw with Macclesfield.

It was a bitter blow for the central midfielder who had established himself in Ian McParland's side after missing the opening two months of the campaign with a problem in his right hamstring.

But Gavin has bounced back once again and took part in Thursday's full training session at Gedling.

Manager Ian McParland said: "Gavin is back in full training which is fantastic news for us.

"He has been brilliant with his rehab and we're delighted to see him back with the boys.

"Obviously he is still some way off being in contention for a first-team place, but we're hoping to get a friendly game lined up for him and that will give him some important match practise."

The Magpies boss also revealed that lively winger Matt Hamshaw has a slight knee niggle but is expected to be fit for Saturday's game at Dagenham & Redbridge - while Ben Fairclough picked up a hamstring strain in training this morning.

Michael Johnson's foot injury is expected to keep the experienced defender out for another week or so, so he won't be involved at Dagenham while Stephen Hunt stepped up his match fitness in a behind-closed-doors game at Derby earlier in the week after four months out with a groin injury.

He is expected to be handed another run-out next week before being available for the first-team.

McParland said: "Hunty played 90 minutes at Derby which was a bonus, and it was also good to give players a run-out like Sean Canham, Spencer Weir-Daley and Hunty."