Steve says:
"The signs have been there in the last few weeks, from the Sheffield United game when we put on a good performance and were unlucky not to win.
"The lads are getting used to each other after a lot of chopping and changing and there is a good competitive situation.
"That is beneficial and there wasn't always that situation last season, with the strikers for example.
"We had the same set of bodies playing most weeks, and I am not saying it was a case of complacency but now we have the options to freshen things up if someone is having an off day."
Steve came through another 90 minutes of reserve team action at Coventry midweek and says:
"It wasn't the greatest of pitches but I got 90 minutes and a runaround - and I am thankful for that.
"You still feel that you are not up to speed but that will only come with more games, really."
Could he be considered for Saturday?
"I don't know what the gaffer is thinking; maybe it might be a little bit early but we will have to wait and see," he says.
"I know there are a lot of players cup tied that day so that might be a consideration if he wants me for the bench or the squad.
"If called upon I would do it of course, but I don't think I could be classed as a starter at the moment.
"I think I am a good month away before I can say I am a starter, but let's see how it goes."
It has certainly been a tough time for Steve, with ankle operations and more recently a groin problem that pushed back his comeback date a few weeks.
Even when he was playing, in the second half of last season, it was not ideal because of the ankle and he adds:
"From about January, February, I was not training too much and it catches up with you in the end.
"My ankle is feeling a lot better and that is the positive thing but I just think two surgeries in the space of three months is something you just don't get over too quickly and can't bounce back from it in a month or two.
"Maybe it is something I have had to accept; getting fit after being out so long, getting to the level you want to be at, is a long journey.
"But perhaps the time out with the groin problem helped in a way because my ankle was irritable - and a month on it is feeling a lot better."