DERIK Osede’s injury nightmare is behind him – with the Spanish defender now back to challenge for a first team spot.

The former Real Madrid man has been beset with fitness problems since the summer, and he has played just 25 minutes of first team football this season.

But Phil Parkinson has high hopes that the versatile defender can now play a part in Wanderers’ campaign, having recovered from a hamstring strain.

“Derik played 60 minutes against QPR last Monday and he’s had some more training over the last 10 days,” he said.

“He’s looking better and I’m pleased with that because at one point I was wondering whether we’d get him back on the training pitch.

“He had a couple of things, one after the other, but he’s back in full training now.”

Parkinson is also looking forward to seeing Keshi Anderson back in action next week, with the on-loan Crystal Palace striker suspended for this afternoon’s game against Bradford City.

Anderson was handed a controversial red card after two soft bookings at Walsall but Parkinson believes the youngster will bounce back.

“The fourth official made a mistake,” he said. The ref knew it and should have handled the second incident with more common sense. “For the second week running I’ve had a phone call from Dave Allison apologising but Keshi will have to be ready for Rochdale away.”