Essendon star Joe Daniher has no time frame on when he will return to training as he continues his rehab from a serious groin injury, reports The Herald Sun.
The gun forward, who failed to have his wish granted of being moved to Sydney in the trade period, is reportedly not close to a return to the track.
The 25-year old has managed just 11 games in the past two seasons and is currently on a modified program.
Essendon skipper Dyson Heppell said Daniher was doing everything in his power to get his body right.
“Joey is working hard in the gym at the moment, still trying to get his body right,” Heppell told SEN.
“He’s one that we’ll play by ear. There’s no time pressure or put a set date on when he’ll return.
“But he’s committed to getting himself right and wants to play plenty of footy for us next year, whenever that may be.”
Daniher, Heppell Orazio Fantasia (hip), Michael Hurley (shoulder) and David Zaharakis (ankle) are among the Bombers on limited duties.
Heppell is hoping to return in late January.
“I’ll hopefully build up my running loads over this Christmas period and look to integrate back into full training sort of late Jan, early Feb I reckon,” he said.
The Bombers said Fantasia is also heading in the right direction having played just 15 games this year.
“‘Raz’ is building his running loads really well now, so he’ll start to integrate into main training very soon,” Heppell said.
“Every club has their injures as they go along. We do have a few in the rehab group but we’re starting to phase a few of them into the main training squad now, so not too many left (in rehab).
