Highly-rated midfielder Gray suffered a dislocated ankle and fractured fibula during pre-season and remains around two months away from action but last week resumed jogging for the first time.
"The surgeon and I are really pleased with how Reece is progressing," Thorpe told Dale's official website.
"As part of his rehabilitation we're continuing to work on his range of movement which is almost fully back now.
"There is still some restriction and he is walking with a slight limp, but he is fully weight bearing and is walking without the support of crutches.
"He started back jogging for the first time last week and there has been no reaction.
"He's also working hard on other parts of his body to build his strength and he's improving every day which is great to see."
