CITY favourite Mark Owen is counting the days until December 5 when he has the plaster on his broken leg removed.

The injured striker, still the top scorer in the Dr Martens Premier Division, was in upbeat mood on Saturday and is now pain free after a recent operation to straighten his ankle to put the Achilles tendon at the correct angle.

Owen has also been spying on Saturday's opponents Rushden & Diamonds with Graham Selby.

Selby moved to involve the striker in his plans after seeing a desolate Owen sitting alone in a back room after the FA Cup fourth qualifying round success against Belper.

"After the Belper game he was obviously down and everybody was going crazy in the dressing room and I think it sank in what he was missing. So I asked him to come and see Swansea with me and he's had his input," said Selby.

The pair were impressed by Brian Talbot's side, particularly Paul Hall in midfield.

"They are a good all-round side as you expect a side near the play-off positions to be," said Selby.

"But it is a one-off match and they have to travel away from home and you never know what can happen on the day. It's up to us to upset them but the onus is going to be on them to perform."

Manager John Barton had some good news on Monday night when Paul Carty enjoyed a 30-minute run out and suffered no reaction to a torn calf muscle he aggravated after his Achilles problem.

Darren Middleton received good news from a specialist yesterday who told him he didn't need an operation. His father, Harry, said his son is a quick healer and Barton will be hoping that is the case.

Dwaine McFarlane's agent Cyrille Regis has been in talks with the club about a contract for the winger but nothing has been signed yet according to Barton.

Ian Cottrill, who went under the knife last Saturday, was upbeat after his operation despite being ruled out until January.

The veteran of more than 400 City games was pleased after the specialist was able to pin-point the cause of pain in his troublesome knee -- a build-up of scar tissue on the patella tendon.

"At least I know what it is now and it is better than having the knee flushed out but without knowing what the exact cause is," he said.

Finally defender Chris Greenman, who continues his rehabilitation from shoulder surgery, needs to work on his shooting after almost sending an elderly punter sprawling with a wayward effort in the pre-match kickabout against Rocester.

The poor old gentleman was fully 20 yards wide of the goal when a Greenman effort struck him smack on the back of the head -- extra time on the shooting practice as well as on the physiotherapy I think Chris!