TSL: Clarence midfielder Mitch Anderton set for shock return

Clarence’s premiership hopes could be set for a huge boost with a forgotten midfielder set for a shock return from injury after it was initially thought he would miss the entire season.

Mitch Anderton could make a shock return for Clarence. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Clarence could be set to welcome back one of the Roos’ most talented players from injury in the back-half of the season.

Forgotten midfielder Mitch Anderton, who hasn’t featured since round 16 last season, is in the final stages of his recovery from a shoulder injury.

Roos coach Peter Ryan confirmed the news following their 36-point win over Glenorchy on Saturday.

“Mitch will probably be back after the bye (in round 17),” Ryan said.

“We thought he was done for the season but he’s had his surgery and doing his rehab. We are looking forward to getting him back in the mix and giving him a run before finals.”

Crossing from SFL club Sorell, Anderton joined Clarence last season but played just nine games amid a number of injury concerns.

“We weren’t really sure when we would get him back because he’s had such a tough run at it,” Ryan explained.

“But just by fluke he got in for surgery early and he has done a mountain of work in rehab. He’s going to give us some real leg speed once he gets up to the speed of the game and fit.”

The news of Anderton’s impending return is welcome news to Clarence with fellow mid Baxter Norton making a successful return from his own shoulder injury in the win over the Magpies in round 13.

It leaves skipper Luke Swinton as their only long-term injury concern with the first-year captain currently recovering from a second straight ACL tear.

The Roos are coming off a 36-point win over Glenorchy on the weekend with Josh Green kicking three goals and James Holmes named best afield.

Clarence will face North Hobart and Lauderdale in the next two weeks before the bye in round 16.