Dean told the official club website: "It feels a lot better now and things are looking encouraging for the weekend.
Hopefully It will keep improving, I will be able to train fully at the end of the week and be okay for the Sheffield Wednesday game."
Royle had looked set to face a mini striker selection headache ahead of the game, with Parkin out longterm, McDonald out on loan and former Sheffield Wednesday player Adam Proudlock both injured and inelligible to play under his contract agreement. Joe was reported to be considering using 'bam-bam' (Naylor) as an emergency striker again but with the emergence of a fit Dean Bowditch, that may no longer be necessary.