Daniel Menzel is closing in on a return. Picture: Mike Dugdale. Source: Herald Sun.

Luckless Geelong youngster Danel Menzel is set to return to the field in three weeks time, following a fourth knee reconstruction.

Menzel told Geelong Radio station KRock yesterday afternoon that he is very close to a return.

“I ran 13km yesterday and it was a massive session. I did a really big footy session with the boys mid-week,” Menzel said.

“I did a lot of contested stuff, tackling and marking and got taken to the ground.

“It’s probably the first week in maybe two years I’ve actually felt like I could play if I needed to play this week.

“Mentally, I feel like my body is really starting to hold up, and I feel like I’m nearly ready.”

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Menzel, who will no doubt find fitness in the VFL before making a return to the senior side, has not played a game of AFL since he injured his knee in the 2011 finals series, requiring his first reconstruction.

Read more at www.afl.com.au