ALAN JUDGE has his sights on a November comeback and a place in the Ireland squad.

Judge, 28, has been crocked for the last 16 months after suffering a horrific double leg fracture in action for Brentford against Ipswich Town.

2 Alan Judge is targeting a November return from his horror leg break Credit: Action Images - Reuters

The injury required a second operation last March after the bone did not fully heal following the first surgery.

But a scan 11 days ago showed that everything is now on course for a November return.

Judge revealed to SunSport: “I’m looking towards the end of October or November time. It’s a bit loose but I’ll be back by the new year anyway.

“Luckily enough, with the second operation, nine times out of ten, they work so I’ve more of an indication of where I am now that I know it’s healing.

“I’m getting there. I’m going to start making my way outside this week, just building myself up mechanically, getting back running and getting back sprinting.

“I’ll have another scan in eight weeks to see where I am but, hopefully, I’ll be around the team in four to five weeks doing some training with them.”

Judge netted 14 goals from midfield for Brentford two seasons ago and earned an Ireland debut against Switzerland two weeks before his leg break.

And having had his Euro 2016 dream ended by the injury, he has his sights set on a World Cup place — should Martin O’Neill’s side get there.

Judge explained: “People say take one step at a time but I can’t help thinking of getting myself in that World Cup squad.

“That will my main aim after missing out on the Euros — getting back playing for Brentford and get myself in the team but I’d be lying if I didn’t say I wanted to go to a World Cup if I can.

“It’s going to be even harder than the Euros because the lads are playing so well. But it’s something I’m aiming for and hopefully the lads can get qualification.”

2 Judge is hoping to return to the Ireland squad for next summer's World Cup

O’Neill has not forgotten about him as he, Roy Keane and team doctor Alan Byrne regularly call to check in.

Judge said: “I speak to them every few months. I’ve spoken to Roy, the doc and Martin O’Neill. They keep in touch and ask how I am.

“It’s nice, especially when it’s out of the blue that they call. It’s nice to know that I’m in their thoughts. I know I’ll need to play well but they’ll be watching.”

But, for now, Judge is focusing on his daily rehab that has become his routine ever since he suffered the leg break.

He underwent surgery the first time around in April 2016 and actually got back out training with the first team before being advised to undergo a second operation.

Judge admitted: “I spoke to the surgeon. I wouldn’t say it’s regular but it happens that people sometimes need the second operation.

“That was no difference between that scan and the two I’d had before that which indicated it wasn’t healing.

“I could have had the operation three or four months earlier but I wanted to give rehab a try. I couldn’t have done more rehab.

“It was just natural body biology, the bone didn’t heal right.

“This time, my leg feels a lot better and the scan has shown that.”