CHRIS Porter is hoping to be able to add to Oldham Athletic’s attacking options in the new year after recovering from a blood clot.

Porter has made only four appearances in league and cup and has featured just once since mid-August.

A hamstring injury had initially kept him sidelined. But his return - as an extra time substitute in October’s FA Cup fourth qualifying round win over Chester, in which he scored the winner after the tie went to penalties - was shortlived, as the next day he was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) above the knee.

It was a health scare that required rigorous tests to determine the cause and treat appropriately, and there were question marks over whether the 39-year-old would be able to play again.

But Porter has revealed that he has been given the all-clear and is working his way back to fitness in order to be back in contention in January.

Taking to social media, he tweeted: “Absolutely devastated to be diagnosed with a blood clot (above the knee DVT) in my leg the day after getting back from a hammy injury.

“After a worrying month I have now had all my bloods back, which are thankfully ok!

“Aiming to be back before the end of Jan!”

Of Porter's latest setback, Latics boss Unsworth said: "It's a disappointment. He's had a horrendous run of bad luck and this is another case of it.

"It's been a really frustrating season for him, and the initial worry with DVT is that it can be something serious even though that's serious enough. It can lead to a lot of other serious issues, but thankfully it hasn't, he's come through that now.

"He's been like a ghost this year and it's been a real disappointment because he was our number nine striker and I was really looking forward to working with him and it's not been the case

"He's missed all season so he'll need another few weeks to get up to speed. It's not ideal but at the same time he might be needed in the run-in."