Florida Panthers forward Vincent Trocheck could make his return Friday night, head coach Bob Boughner announced. 

After saying Thursday the team plans to hold him out until after their bye week stretching from Jan. 21 to Feb. 1, Trocheck has been upgraded to a game-time decision after being 100 per cent medically cleared. 

“He came in pounding the table. You know Troch, he wants to be back in so bad. The doctors reaffirmed he’s back to 100 percent, so now it’s just our decision... we’ll see," Boughner told reporters.

Trocheck has been out since Nov. 19 when he fell awkwardly while fighting for a puck along the boards during a matchup with the Ottawa Senators. 

He stayed down for several minutes and was taken off the ice on a stretcher. He had successful surgery the following day to repair a fractured ankle. 

Before his injury, the 25-year-old had three goals and 11 assists in 18 games. He scored 31 goals and added 44 assists in 81 games the season before. 

Following their matchup with the Leafs, the Panthers will be in Nashville Saturday night to take on the Predators.