Manager Steve Bruce has confirmed that the influential French forward has been working hard on his fitness levels over the last week with no reaction to the injury. 
Now it's hoped that Dugarry can start training with the first team players towards the end of next week with the home game against Middlesbrough on February 3rd still the target for a possible return to action.
Dugs has not played since the 4-0 home defeat against Blackburn at the beginning of December, a game in which he was sent-off and ultimately suspended for violent conduct after an altercation with Rovers centre-back Craig Short. The three game ban incurred comes to end after the FA Cup tie with Wimbledon this weekend.