Collingwood star Jeremy Howe is aiming to return to the field for the first week of finals, should his team qualify.
The high flyer went down in a sickening incident during the Pies' Round 4 loss to GWS, with scans revealing damage to the posterior cruciate and medial ligaments in his knee.
Speaking on SEN's Whateley, Howe said he is recovering well and is confident of getting back on the park this season.
“As long as it’s tracking the way that it is I’m a high chance," he said on SEN's Whateley.
“I think the first final would be the realistic target, if you’re lucky, then maybe the last game.
“In my circumstance, I can’t really afford a setback (but) I’m feeling extremely confident about it."
Usually an injury that takes up to five months to recover from, Howe said he is ahead of schedule.
“I had a full PCL reconstruction and the MCL reattached. It’s quite a significant recovery period, it’s a 20-22 week timeframe," he said.
“Speaking with the surgeon as well, you have to let it heal but you can continually progress as long as there’s no swelling and the pain is okay.
“We can see where we can get to and at this stage it’s progressing really well and ahead of schedule."
Now back training, Howe is slowly ramp up his workload in a bid to return to the senior team.
The 30-year old said the strength and range has come back in his legs after doing weight sessions.
“I’ve been able to do plenty of leg weight sessions," he said.
“The strength has come back and the range is getting there and I’ve ticked off a few runs now."
He is joined fellow key Magpies Jordan De Goey (finger) and Adam Treloar (hamstring) on the sidelines, both of which are also pushing to return during the finals.
However, Nathan Buckley's side has been in patchy form, dropping three of their last five games to sit just two points clear inside the top eight.
Collingwood will look to get back on the winner's list when they face North Melbourne at the Gabba on Monday night at 7.10pm AEST.
