by Greg Seltzer for Soccer365

IK Start defender Clarence Goodson has returned to Norway from a rest sojourn in the States to begin training on the side with fingers crossed for a midweek check-up.

The Adeccoligaen rookie standout has had a bit of a struggle with a blood illness that affected his liver, but the club are optimistic the worst is behind him.

"He returned to (light) training today," Start director Svein Mathisen told Soccer365 on Monday afternoon. "He will have a test on Wednesday, and hopefully he will be on the bench this weekend. Then, we hope he can play in the last two games."

The promotion chasers have seen their title drive has all but stalled in Goodson's absence, dropping two of their last three matches to fall four points off the pace, but are optimistic the American can return in time to help them maintain their second place standing for the last few weeks.

Though liver problems can be serious, the club are confident the defender's malady was caught well in time.

"All the tests are positive," stated Mathisen. "We think we saw it early enough. It's not an uncommon thing with athletes."

IK Start will try to get back on the winning track when they host fourth place Sogndal on Saturday.

Soccer365 reporter Greg Seltzer blogs daily over at No Short Corners.

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