Lee Bowyer was handed a big boost this week when he was given the news that Josh Cullen and Ben Reeves would be available for Saturday’s clash with Accrington.

Cullen dislocated his shoulder at Walsall on 5 November. Igor Vetokele also dislocated his shoulder in the match, but the Angolan is still a few weeks away from a return.

‎The West Ham loanee was in superb form, operating at the base of the diamond, prior to his injury.

He is likely to be on the bench for the Accrington game on Saturday. Here are Bowyer’s thoughts:

“J‎osh will be back in the squad on Saturday. He’s been looking good and very sharp in training.

“He has obviously lacked matches but he will be in and amongst the squad on Saturday. He’s another one back and Reevesy is back training as well now.

“To have the pair of them back is good and now I have a headache about who to take in the squad and who to play.

“I’d rather that than where we were a month ago, though, because we were down to the bare bones. Slowly but surely, we are getting stronger again and are getting people back.”

Bowyer also revealed that another player recently returned from injury – Billy Clarke – could exit The Valley on a permanent basis this month.

Clarke faces stiff competition to get back in the team, and has expressed an interest in a loan move. But with his contract expiring in the summer, Bowyer believes the Irishman could secure a permanent deal.

During his 18 months or so at The Valley, Clarke has shared an apartment with AFC Wimbledon midfielder, Liam Trotter.

His family home is near Bradford, and a move back to a northern club would suit him.

Clarke has been an unused substitute in the last three games.

Here are Bowyer’s thoughts on Clarke’s situation:

‎”I think Billy is interested in going out on loan. It could maybe even be permanent, because he is up (contract expires) in the summer.

“He is back from injury now and obviously wants to play. He has been training every day for a while now.

“Unfortunately for Billy we’ve got players that are above him and ready to play. There is that competition for places.

“Billy wants to play football and I can’t guarantee that he is going to do that at the moment.”‎