JAEGER O'Meara is nearing a return to the field, with the talented Gold Coast midfielder just over a month away from playing after persistent knee troubles.
O'Meara's injury issues started when he ruptured his patella tendon last April, and after completing his lengthy rehabilitation the Suns' onballer had targeted the start of the season for his comeback.
However an arthroscope on his knee added more time to his recovery and the Suns listed him as 'indefinite' on their official injury list.
But Gold Coast football manager Marcus Ashcroft said the outlook was positive for O'Meara.
"He's going really well and he's ticked every box in regard to his rehab in the early part of this year," Ashcroft told RSN927.
"We're hopeful he'll play in the next four to six weeks."
Ashcroft said O'Meara completed a five-kilometre running session on Monday as he continued to build his conditioning.
"He's on track and hopefully he'll be integrated back into full training in the next couple of weeks," Ashcroft said.
The 22-year-old has not played a senior match since round 23, 2014, and his absence, along with David Swallow (knee), has been sorely felt as the Suns' injury crisis has taken hold.
O'Meara, who is out of contract at the end of this season, has put talks with the Suns on hold until at least the midway point of the season.
The gun midfielder said recently he would start negotiations once he is back playing and settled after a torrid injury run.
A number of clubs have expressed interest in acquiring O'Meara's services, with Hawthorn and St Kilda reportedly among those leading the charge.