Mahon is set to undergo a fitness test before the game to see if he is in a good enough condition to play after picking up an injury in last weeks Carling Cup exit at the hands of Notts County, something which the blues boss hopes he passes.
Speaking to the Official Club Website, Royle said: "We will see how Alan gets on but his return does give me a selection dilemma - a nice one, He has been very important to us since he came here from Blackburn but the team that finished the game on Saturday did very well."