The kid gloves are out for Rob Jones who has tentatively stepped up his rehabilitation - but may yet miss the rest of the season through injury.
Jones had a scan on his arm/neck problem on Monday and had hoped to be given the go-ahead to make an instant return to the side against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.
The 34-year-old has progressed from running to ball work on the training ground this week but he is booked in to see another specialist on Monday.
And Paul Dickov has promised to go softly, softly with Rovers’ talismanic skipper, who he admitted may yet require a season-ending operation.
“We have to be careful with this type of injury and as much as we really want him back we cannot rush him,” said Dickov.
“The scan indicated that there was not a big improvement since last time with the bulging of the disks but the good news is that it is not pressing on the nerves anymore.
“Over the next few days we’ll see how it reacts and then it will be down to what the specialist says on Monday.
“This is a small step forward,” he added.
“We’re hopeful we can get Rob back soon but we have to be aware it could be longer term.
“We need to take on board all the advice and look after him. It’s his career and life.
“We know there is a slight chance he may need an operation to fuse the disks, which I had done when I played.
“If that is the case then it would keep him out for the season but we are hopeful that that will not be needed.”