The big striker got through 45 much-needed minutes in a training match at Queens Park Rangers.

Joining Akinfenwa on the scoresheet in a 2-2 draw in west London was Ian Henderson, while Chris Doig also managed 75 minutes.

But the big plus for manager Stuart Gray was his number 10, who is now well on course to start the weekend's curtain-raiser against the Robins at Sixfields.

"My fitness is getting there," he said. "It's slow going, but it is getting there.

"It's been a long slog through pre-season but I'm feeling stronger every day.

"I'm disappointed not to have played any pre-season games but I've been getting stronger behind the scenes.

"Saturday I'll be raring to go and hopefully I can play some part of the game."

Even if Akinfenwa is not fully fit there is every chance he will play at least some part of Saturday's game – he was never 100 per cent at any stage of last season but still scored goals and caused problems for the opposition.

The summer hasn't gone as planned for either the player or Gray, who was hoping to get Akinfenwa fully up to speed for the coming campaign.
While that may not be the case, he has still made good progress from the condition he was in at the back end of last term.

"We took the screws out at the end of last season and it was a case of getting some stability back from that," said Akinfenwa.

"I started running and from that I developed other problems in my calf. So I think the bottom line is that it was a case of strengthening and I feel ready now.

"I'm participating in training and by the grace of God I will be ready for the weekend."

Manager Stuart Gray said: "Bayo looked strong. He played 45 minutes, that was always the plan, and he came through without any problems. This was a big step forward for him.

"He's doing everything he can to get on the park. He's a real key player for us and he's been doing full sessions this week."