Stevenage have been handed a boost prior to the visit of Salford City - although Steve Evans admits the reason for Daryl Horgan's return makes the boost itself pale into insignificance.

The on-loan Wycombe Wanderers man has been missing while his new-born babies were in hospital.

But the Stevenage boss was able to give the fantastic news that they were now both home and doing well.

Evans said: "Daryl Horgan is back in the group and I'll let everyone know his babies have come home from hospital so thank you to the man above. 

"They are both tiny tots born weeks and weeks early but they both seem to be doing very well and Daryl was back in this week with a big smile on his face. 

"And so he should be because that's more precious than winning games.

"But now that he's in the building, we want him to help us win games because we've not really seen the best of Horgs yet. 

"But when you've got that in the background, it's not a surprise."

Evans revealed that Dean Campbell was available again after an ankle problem and Terence Vancooten was stepping up his return, although they were still remaining cautious about his return.

There was also an update on Boro's long-term absentee, Elliott List, who suffered knee ligament injury on the opening day of the season.

"Yeah, Listy is on the grass and we're just waiting for the medical team," said the boss.

"Realistically it's probably three weeks from us probably having him in our sessions and if he's in our sessions, he very quickly becomes available.  

"We'll ascertain where we are in three weeks and decide if we need to press the button that says green for go or have we put ourselves in the position where we can just push the amber button on and say we've no need to rush the kid. 

"We've missed him since Tranmere but if he’d continued in the way he was in pre-season, we wouldn't have had him anyway as he'd have been sold. 

"Phil Wallace doesn't have to sell but you’ve also got to think of the player and think of him like your son. 

"And when opportunities come for these young men to go up to a higher level and for lots more money, that's why transfers happen. 

"You sell a player because of the ambition of the young man but we'd love Elliott with us for sure."