Brown started last season in career-best form, kicking 19 goals in the opening four games before being struck down by a groin complaint.
The 29-year-old attempted to play in spite of the injury, but eventually succumbed and spent five weeks on the sidelines in the middle part of the year.
He had surgery to correct the injury in October and has completed his rehabilitation under the watchful eye of new physical performance manager Brett Burton, who tailored a program specific to the star forward’s needs.
Brown said he was progressing well, but that he was unlikely to play any part in the Lions’ NAB Cup campaign.
“I’ve certainly trimmed down and lost a few kilos,” Brown told Lions.com.au.
“I obviously had an operation during the off-season, but the body’s going pretty well now. I only really started getting back into some running after Christmas, but so far the operation has been successful.”
“I’ll certainly have a limited role in the pre-season, if any, but I’ll be aiming to be there for round one, that’s for sure.”
The Lions ordered a full review of their football operations, following a disastrous season on the field in 2010.
The club has also been in the headlines for the wrong reasons this pre-season, with repeat offenders Brendan Fevola and Albert Proud running into trouble with the police and second-year recruit Xavier Clarke re-injuring his knee.
The Lions won just seven games last season to finish the year in 13th place on the AFL ladder and Brown refused to put any expectations on the team for 2011.
“We’ve got a tremendous amount of young talent and really need to keep our senior group injury-free and on the paddock more often.”
"The boys have trained hard during the pre-season, so you can expect to see a really fit and committed group when the season kicks off."
