WEST Coast star Nic Naitanui is still confident he can return from a knee reconstruction this season, ahead of a looming decision whether to push on with his comeback.
Naitanui has been making strong progress in his recovery from ACL surgery after round 22 last season and joined in competitive match simulation drills for the first time two weeks ago.
The Eagles are set to assess the latest scans on Naitanui's left knee in the coming days, and there is nothing that has shaken the 201cm big man's belief he will get back later this year.
"No, there isn't. I've been progressing pretty steadily," Naitanui told Channel Seven.
"If I came to a point where nothing was progressing or getting better I'd probably think 'Oh, maybe I need to rest up and concentrate on next year'.
"It's going along really well.
"Everyone I walk past asks me the question (if he will play in 2017). I still firmly believe I want to play at some stage this year.
"We'll sit down and go over some scans. We'll see how the knee and stuff around that is going.
"That will determine where I go from there."
Naitanui, who jumps off his left leg, is about 75 per cent of the way through his rehabilitation.
So far he has ticked-off sprinting, jumping off two feet and changing direction – as well as joining in some drills.
"I'm sprinting as quick as I had in the past before I hurt my knee," he said.
Naitanui's next steps will be building his fitness and contested jumping, then landing after contact.
If he returns it is unlikely the spring-heeled star will be back until late in the home and away season, but his presence would be a boost should West Coast qualify for finals.
"He's such a dynamic player for us. We've had to adjust a lot of things and we're still working through those situations," coach Adam Simpson told Fox Footy last month.
"Obviously having someone like him in the side makes you walk a bit taller – and he does have presence – I would've thought we'll make a decision after the bye about where he's at."
The Eagles are also set to regain Scott Lycett, potentially as soon as the round 13 home clash with Geelong, after the ruckman got through his comeback from shoulder surgery unscathed playing for East Perth on Monday.
