JARED Polec’s recovery from a navicular injury is progressing well, with the Port Adelaide speedster a chance to be fit to play in round one.

The 22-year-old has been sidelined since round five last year but has recently returned to running training.

The Power’s head of high performance Darren Burgess said the midfielder could be fit for round one, but there was still a fair way to go.

"He’s been running now for four weeks, so we’re not expecting miracles but hopefully sometime after Christmas he’ll be joining in full training and ready to go," Burgess said.

"We’re really happy with where he is at the moment, it’s been a deliberately conservative process and it’ll still be that way – really conservative.

"He’ll continue his running progressions, and hopefully join in full training around mid-to-late January, and hopefully, all going well, should be right for the start of the season."

Polec ran laps as his teammates completed the three-kilometre time trial and skills training on Monday, and Burgess said the club was pleased with the midfielder's recovery from the serious injury.

Polec's absence was a serious blow to Port's finals aspirations last season, given his run, speed and class was vital in the club's resurgence up the ladder in 2014.

The Power are clearly targeting a top-four finish in 2016 after their poor season this year, having recruited Gold Coast key forward Charlie Dixon to help spearhead their attack.

Delisted midfielder Kane Mitchell, who is expected to be placed on the club's rookie list later this month, won the club's time trial earlier this week ahead of defender Tom Clurey. Star midfielder Ollie Wines finished fifth.