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 onย SEN's Whateley, Howe said he is recovering well and is confident of getting back on the park this season.
โAs long as itโs tracking the way that it is Iโm a high chance," he said onย SEN's Whateley.
โI think the first final would be the realistic target, if youโre lucky, then maybe the last game.
โIn my circumstance, I canโt really afford a setback (but) Iโm feeling extremely confident about it."
Usually an injury that takes up to five months to recover from, Howe said he is ahead of schedule.
โI had a full PCL reconstruction and the MCL reattached. Itโs quite a significant recovery period, itโs a 20-22 week timeframe," he said.
โSpeaking with the surgeon as well, you have to let it heal but you can continually progress as long as thereโs no swelling and the pain is okay.
โWe can see where we can get to and at this stage itโs 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.
โIโve been able to do plenty of leg weight sessions," he said.
โThe strength has come back and the range is getting there and Iโve 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.
