Oldham striker Lee Hughes could be fit for the start of the season after beginning rehabilitation on his long-standing groin injury.

Hughes, 31, has been sidelined since the end of January after being laid low by the injury but surgery has put the former West Brom and Coventry forward on the road to recovery.

Latics physiotherapist Marc Czuczman told the club's official website: "Lee is coming along well and he's looking fit and strong at the moment.

"He has been putting in lots of work in the gym and in the pool and his strength is fantastic.

"We've had Lee running on the treadmill and I'm hoping to take him outside to start his functional rehab in the next two or three days.

"Hopefully he will be back in action for either the first or second week of pre-season training."