SWINDON Town fans’ favourite Sid Nelson could be back in the starting XI for this weekend’s home clash against League Two leaders Lincoln City, with manager Richie Wellens hopeful that the Millwall loan signing will be able to return to training this week.

Wellens and Town director of football Paul Jewell are both working with the Championship club to try and tie the 23-year-old centre half down to a permanent move away from The Den after impressing during his initial six-month loan stint at SN1.

Nelson made 24 appearances for Town before linking back up with Millwall after the new year following a knock to his knee during Swindon’s loss against Exeter City on New Year’s Day.

That game was due to be Nelson’s last for Town, but Wellens is keen to make the defender an asset of the club and is confident that a deal to extend his loan can be agreed if any talks of a permanent transfer fall through.

Wellens said: “Sid (Nelson) will be fit for next Saturday.

“We’re trying to do a permanent deal. If not, then it’s very likely that we can extend the loan until the end of the season.

“He hobbled off holding his knee (against Exeter), and you do fear the worst.

“Thankfully, it was just a dead leg or a knock. He should be training in the week.”

Meanwhile, Millwall supporters’ website NewsAtDen is reporting that manager Neil Harris stated there remains ‘every chance’ that Nelson will make a return to the Energy Check County Ground.

The Lions boss has been impressed by Nelson’s form during his time at Swindon, but he doesn’t seem set on the 23-year-old’s place in his XI amid the club’s battle to avoid relegation from the Championship.

Harris told NewsAtDen: “Sid’s had a really excellent loan, he’s really grown in stature, really grown in confidence.

“I’ve seen him play a couple of times and I thought he was outstanding. Sid jarred his knee last week blocking a shot so that’s why he’s back with us at the moment.

“We’re just assessing that on our behalf and Swindon’s and it’s something we’ll monitor in the early part of the week.

“But there’s every chance Sid will go back to Swindon.”