INJURED Port Adelaide key defender Logan Austin will resume running in two weeks after breaking his leg in the final game of the season.
The impressive 21-year-old looked assured in the 11 games he played in his debut season before going down awkwardly in a marking contest in the Power's round 23 win against Gold Coast.
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Austin told AFL.com.au his rehabilitation was coming along nicely and he would be ready for the Power's pre-season games.
"It was disappointing to break the leg in the last game, but I suppose if there's a time to break it, it's in the last game of the season when I've already played a few games," Austin said.
"It's just a clean break through the tibia, it's pretty easy to fix, a couple of screws.
"I start running in two weeks time.
"Once I get the fitness base, that's when they (the Power's coaches) will throw me into the match simulation and full-contact stuff after Christmas."
Austin's emergence when the Power was without experienced defenders Tom Jonas, Jack Hombsch and Alipate Carlile (who is now retired) for a large chunk of last season was one of the shining lights of its disappointing season.
With Jonas and Hombsch set to hold down two of the key defensive posts next year, and the possibility makeshift ruck Jackson Trengove may revert to the backline with Patrick Ryder's return, Austin knows it will be a tough ask to keep his spot in the side.
"Hopefully I can have a good pre-season, get some form into those pre-season games and hold down one of those key position spots in our backline," Austin said.
"Those guys (Hombsch and Jonas) have helped me a lot this year when they couldn't play.
"Hopefully I get a chance to play alongside them."
Second-year ruckman Dougal Howard is also on the comeback trail.
The 20-year-old is aiming to return in round 10 next year after completing his first running session since tearing the ACL in his knee in this year's round seven loss to Fremantle.
"The knee has pulled up alright, and had a bit of a kick as well, which was good fun to get the footy back in the hands," Howard told Port's website.
"It's just about getting used to it and getting my running technique back so I don't have other injuries in the future.
"It's always in the back of your head, doing it again, it's a pretty awful thing, but the physios know what they're doing and they're not going to push me too hard.
"We've got the bye in round nine, so to get back playing footy after that weekend would be a bonus, but I'll be pushing to get back a couple weeks early."
