The 28-year-old has not played seniors since round four of 2009 and doesn't expect to be available before June this season because of an achilles problem that flared up in September last year.
Charman, who played in the Lions' 2003 premiership, is out of contract at the end of the season.
"You've got to be realistic; I haven't played for two years," he told afl.com.au this week.
"I need to get back and play, but I know I still have the hunger and fight in me to get back, which I think is really important.
"I'm really looking forward to that next stage where I'm able to run and train and get back for that first game. I'll be very, very eager."
After missing all but the first three games of 2009 with an ankle injury, Charman started 2010 full of optimism after a successful reconstruction.
Then he hurt his other ankle in a pre-season match and eventually underwent surgery before a second operation in September.
In a cruel irony, the moon boot designed to assist his recovery from the last surgery irritated his achilles tendon and caused a problem that can now only be managed by time.
Despite all the setbacks and heartache - and the fact he won't run for another six weeks - Charman believes his body can hold up to the rigours of AFL football.
"With the break I've had, all the other issues you accumulate during your career have come good," he said.
"Mentally I'm still really keen to get back and play. Overall, although it's been tough it's sort of been motivating in a way to want to get back."
He admitted his contractual status weighed on his mind at times, but maintained his optimism that his career wasn't coming to an end.
"When you've been out for a long time it does make you think about it more than if you're playing every week and you're playing well," he said.
"I'm turning 29 this year but you still think you're young and can play, and I've had all these issues that are fixed and hopefully that can take me forward in my career."
Charman has kept his mind occupied by a day a week of work experience in property development and his body fresh by helping the club's other ruckmen at training.
He refuses to see the emergence of Matthew Leuenberger and Mitch Clark and the improvement of rookies Broc McCauley and Bart McCulloch as negatives despite his desperation to get back into the side.
"It's important to have a good strong ruck division and there's no jealously," he said.
"Hopefully they're doing well in the middle of the year so I can come back and fight my way in and take my position back.
"I've always loved the challenge of footy, whether it was Beau McDonald and Clark Keating in the past, and now two great young players in Leuenberger and Clark."
Jamie Charman is a $97,600 ruckman in the Toyota AFL Dream Team competition
