JAEGER O'Meara will be given until Friday to decide, but his long-awaited return to action is "more likely next week" says Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade.
O'Meara has not played since rupturing his patella tendon in a NEAFL practice match last April but is now on the cusp of a return.
No price on O'Meara's head, says manager
He has ticked every medical box, and Eade says it will now be left to O'Meara to make the final call on whether he plays in the NEAFL against Southport on Saturday or waits another week.
"He's done most things. We'll probably give him until the last minute (to decide)," Eade said.
"He's a chance. He's more likely next week."
O'Meara has trained strongly with the main group the past couple of weeks and again took part in the Suns' open training session on Thursday at Metricon Stadium.
Eade said the 2013 Rising Star winner had to feel comfortable with the rest of his body – not just his knee – before playing again.
If O'Meara plays next week, he will line up against the Brisbane Lions' reserves in a QClash curtain-raiser.
"I think we've got to temper expectations as well," Eade said.
"He's been out for a long time, so it's just going to take a while to find his feet, feel comfortable at the level.
"From our point of view, whenever he plays, there's no expectations the first couple of weeks, it's more about getting through and feeling comfortable with it."
After honourable losses against Richmond and Hawthorn in their past two outings, Eade said the next step for Gold Coast was to get over the line and defeat St Kilda on Saturday.
"I think the last two games there's a lot of positives out of it," the coach said.
"We're looking to win as many games as we can.
"We've just got to learn in clutch moments, to do something when they occur, like take our chances when they arrive, or make a tackle or kick the ball properly.
"I think that's what we're looking for."
The Suns will welcome back Kade Kolodjashnij (concussion), Callum Ah Chee (calf) and Jack Martin (back) to play the Saints.
