YOUNG Gold Coast ruckman Tom Nicholls is leaving no stone unturned in his rehabilitation from knee surgery, sleeping 12 hours a night in the club's altitude room.

Nicholls and emerging fullback Rory Thompson (hip) were the only two players not to attend the Suns' recent high altitude training camp in Arizona as they overcome injury.

But 21-year-old Nicholls has upped the ante to ensure he can rejoin his teammates in full training as soon as possible.

After seeking approval from Suns fitness boss Stephen Schwerdt, Nicholls was granted permission to work out at the club’s training facilities and sleep in the altitude room while his teammates were in the United States.

The 201cm ruck spent 12 hours each night in the recovery facility, equipped with bedding, a television and an Xbox 360.

The same set-up was afforded to Trent McKenzie, Seb Tape and Aaron Hall last year, and Schwerdt said it worked well.

"The whole idea behind doing it is a lot of the research now suggests that just being at altitude has a huge benefit and that training at altitude is an added-on benefit," Schwerdt told the Gold Coast website.

"Trent, Seb and Aaron all did it in February after limited pre-seasons, and all went on to play pretty good seasons.”

Nicholls was one of the Suns' success stories in 2013 after coming in as the number one ruckman following a season-ending knee injury to Zac Smith.

He played eight games, earned a NAB Rising Star nomination and showed enormous potential with his tap-work and agility around the ground.

Nicholls has slowly started to increase his running and is doing lots of boxing with Thompson and assistant coach Matt Primus to get back to top shape.

"Although I would have much preferred to be training alongside the boys, it’s been great to gain some of the benefits of altitude recovery,” Nicholls told the Suns' website.

He is expected to resume full training with the main group before the Christmas break.