AFC Sudbury skipper Sam Clarke is on the way back after five months out with a broken arm.

The 25-year-old, who broke his right arm in the match at Harlow Town on August 27, has been given the all clear to return to action.

A check-up on Monday saw Clarke, who joined Sudbury five years ago, given the go-ahead to resume playing for the Ryman League Division One North club.

He said: “I am happy to be able to start playing competitive football again. I have been doing light training, but am now able to start playing contact sport again.

“I have spent a lot of time on my fitness to keep that as high as possible, so I can hopefully hit the ground running.”

Clarke will make his return to competitive action, weather permitting, for AFC Sudbury Reserves in Saturday’s Thurlow Nunn Reserve League First Division match at home to Wivenhoe Town.

“I will be looking to get some minutes with the reserves on Saturday, and then it will be up to the gaffer when I return to the first team.”

The central midfielder could come under consideration for the first team’s next match, at home to Chatham Town the following Saturday.

Clarke admitted: “Although I have continued to watch the team while I have been injured, it has been frustrating. I have missed being with the boys before and after games.

“It is frustrating sitting on the sidelines, because there is nothing you can do, but you learn to deal with it.

“I feel sorry for the team because we have had so many injuries – it has been a nightmare this season – and it has made it difficult to get any consistency.”

Ryan Henshaw is expected to be out for several weeks after he was injured in last week’s 6-0 defeat at Grays Athletic.

He has joined long-term absentees James Smith, Darcy De’ath and Michael Shinn on the sidelines at the MEL Group Stadium.

Clarke, who is a self-employed electrician, is due to return to work on Monday for the first time since suffering his bad break.