JORDAN Stewart hopes to make a swift return to action for Swindon Town following surgery on a knee injury last week.

Northern Ireland U21 international Stewart had to go under the knife on November 21 after suffering a recurrence of the medial cruciate ligament problem that kept him on the sidelines for two months in the early part of the season.

Speaking to BBC Wiltshire on Saturday ahead of Town’s 1-0 win at home to Bradford City in League One, Stewart revealed he had made swift progress following the operation and has set his sights on being back in training by the middle of December.

“I am just on the recovery now. It’s going quite well, it’s been pretty quick so far,” said 21-year-old forward Stewart.

“I am thinking maybe two or three weeks and I can get back to training and then hopefully that will be the end of my problems.

“I knew I had a problem with my cartilage but they said I might be able to get away with it.

"I probably should have known myself just trying to soldier on through that it wasn’t right. In the end, it got a lot worse and I couldn’t solider through it any longer.

“It’s just a bit of R&R now. Hopefully not for too long.”

Right wing-back Bradley Barry has missed the last two matches with a hamstring complaint but has one eye on a comeback against Luton Town in the Checkatrade Trophy in a week’s time.

“I just felt a bit tight after the Southend game (on November 19). It just didn’t feel right when I woke up so I went in and had a check with the physio,” said Barry.

“I have had a problem for quite a few years now, it’s something like a nerve problem. We are seeing a specialist and we are going to get the answers soon.

“I am keeping myself strong, keeping in the gym and making sure I am doing everything right day to day.

“It’s just a little thing that’s happened, hopefully it’s only another week and I will be back. We have got another week, so I can work in the gym.

“Luton is my target but if I don’t reach it, I am not going to be too upset about it, I will just work for the next game.”

James Brophy was withdrawn at half-time against Bradford but that was a tactical decision and not down to any adverse effects from breathing problems that have kept him on the sidelines for much of the past month.

Town will assess Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill’s ankle problem in the early part of this week after he limped off in the early stages of the second half of the win over the Bantams.