STEVEN Craig is steak-ing a claim to play tomorrow after injections of calves blood helped him recover from injury much sooner than expected.

The striker had been expected to be out for up to six weeks after tearing a thigh muscle in mid December - but the unusual course of treatment has given him a clean bill of health and he was able to play for Wanderers against AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.

It's not the first time the Scotsman has had the treatment but after seeing the effects he said he'd recommend it to anyone.

He said: "I had it done two years ago when I was in Scotland and I was back within six or seven days. As soon as I had the diagnosis I was out for six weeks I hoped to get it done really quickly.

"When I got it done I was trying to get fit for a semi final and I made it.

"It was a thigh last time so I had no hesitation. Gaz and Theo [Farley, Wanderers physio] were all for giving me the time off to go and get it done.

"I knew the results, which is why I've had it done twice now. The results are astounding - I can't recommend it highly enough."

Explaining the process, Craig said: "It's full of amino acids and protein. They inject it into the tear and it speeds up the healing process. It was a Bayern Munich doctor that started it about 15 years ago. Because it's not really recognised a lot of people don't practice it.

"I've had a bit of banter on Twitter and a few puns have come out. I'm just glad to be back training 16 days after injury, and to be involved on Saturday."

The 32-year-old hopes that's the end of his injury and illness problems in what's been a stop-start campaign.

He said: "I've had three now, with my illness, my shoulder injury and my thigh. I want to get myself established again - whenever I get myself established, something tends to happen. Touch wood, that's my lot for the season. I just want to get back to scoring ways."

And he's feeling bullish about Wanderers' chances of getting back to winning ways at Morecambe tomorrow.

Craig said: "We know what's required. Saturday was a major disappointment. We had a very productive meeting on Sunday and in Monday and Tuesday's training sessions the standard was sky high.

"We tend to produce when the pressure's on us. I have no doubts about Saturday we'll take something away from the game."