Reigning Richmond best and fairest Dion Prestia has issued an update on how he is tracking with his ankle injury.
The star midfielder sustained a syndesmois injury in the Round 5 win over Melbourne and has spent most of his time in rehabilitation in Melbourne following surgery in early July.
Prestia is now in the club’s Gold Coast hub and back on light running duties ahead of a potential return in three to four weeks.
“It’s slowly progressing,” he told Jack Riewoldt on SEN’s Tiger Time.
“Obviously I was out of the Richmond hub. I was in my own hub with Toby Nankervis and I’ve done four AlterG runs, which pretty much takes your weight on a treadmill.
“Hopefully Saturday it will be (running) on grass and it will progress even quicker.
“I’m hoping it’s about three or four weeks from now.
“If it progresses well over the next couple of weeks. They said it’s a quick progression once you start running.”
That would have the two-time premiership on-baller back in the Tigers line-up in early September in either Round 15 or 16, depending on what happens with the AFL fixture which is still to be confirmed beyond Round 13.
There is further good news on the injury front for Richmond with premiership ruckman Nankervis, who has also been out with a syndesmosis strain, earmarked for a return against Essendon on August 22.
“Nank’s not far away, Tiger fans,” Riewoldt said.
“I think he maybe a chance for the Essendon game, so we are starting to get some troops back.”
Captain Trent Cotchin is expected back on Monday night to play against Gold Coast after he was rested last weekend following his return from a hamstring injury while star defender Bachar Houli is now in the hub after two weeks of quarantine. He could also play against the Suns.
The Tigers currently occupy sixth position on the ladder as they look to stay in touch with the top four when they meet the Suns at the Gabba.