GAVIN McCALLUM revealed his frustration at being on the sidelines today as the Lincoln City striker refused to put a timescale on his return.

The summer signing from Hereford United has missed the last four games with a hip injury and has spent the last two weeks undergoing intensive treatment.

McCallum said he hoped to make a full return to training tomorrow after starting ball work earlier in the week, but remains unsure when he will be available for selection.

The 23-year-old is wary of rushing back too soon and suffering a further set-back that could lead to an even longer spell on the treatment table.

McCallum admitted two weeks has been long enough without football as he spoke of his disappointment at not being able to lift the gloom at the start to the season.

"It has been hugely frustrating and pretty depressing when you are sat there in the stands on a match day knowing you are not out there helping the lads," he said.

"The injury is okay, but I have not made a full return to training yet and I'm hoping that I can take that next step tomorrow.

"I have done some light ball work, but it's not been tested in terms of taking a whack on my hip. I'm just a little conscious that if I rush back then it could put me back even further.

"I would love to be involved in this weekend's game against Barnet, but we'll just have to see how the next couple of days go.

"That is going to be key because I know I'm not ready to play a full game, but maybe if everything is okay then hopefully I could be included in the squad."

McCallum has only played three games this season and his last act in a City shirt was playing 60 minutes in the 2-0 home defeat against Torquay.

Since then, Lincoln have only won one of three of their following fixtures, which was a 1-0 success at Gillingham.

That has been their only victory of the campaign so far which has led fans to panic at the lacklustre start to the campaign.

McCallum attempted to ease their concern today by pointing out that Lincoln had only played five games of the season.

"I know the fans are probably a little concerned, but I don't understand that, it's not like we have one foot in the conference," he said.

"We have only played five games of the season in the league and there is still another 41 to go.

"And one of the team we lost to, Torquay, I bet will not be up there when it comes to the end of the season.

"In fact, I would say we will finish above them given the quality of players we have.

"We are still gelling, it's a new team, but it is blessed with talent and once it clicks I'm sure we will start to fly up the league."