Van Berlo, who ruptured his Achilles in a freak training accident in January, said the successful returns to football of Hawthorn's Jarryd Roughead and North Melbourne captain Andrew Swallow had boosted his confidence.
The Crows skipper started running outdoors last week in the most significant milestone of his rehabilitation to date, and he said if his recovery went to plan he could play by the end of the season.
"If we're able to progress as we'd like then there certainly is light at the end of the tunnel for this year," van Berlo said.
Swallow ruptured his Achilles last season, and van Berlo said he had maintained regular contact with the Roos captain throughout his recovery.
Roughead suffered his injury in 2011, but has been one of the best forwards in the game this season, booting 33 goals from his 11 games.
"I love watching Andrew since he's been back playing, and Jarryd Roughead's only probably 18 months back as well – I think the other week he kicked his 8.2 and ripped a game apart," van Berlo said.
"[Swallow] said he was a bit off the pace the first couple of games he came back, but he's been in pretty good shape the last few weeks, so it's certainly positive signs."
Twitter: @AFL_Harry
