DION Prestia is on track to re-join the main Gold Coast training group in early January after completing a searching running session this morning.

 

In further good news for the Suns, captain Gary Ablett looked much freer with his left shoulder, and Harley Bennell continued to move well following a recent calf niggle.

 

Prestia sustained a hamstring strain just two weeks ago, but was back to almost full speed on a hot morning at Metricon Stadium.

 

While his teammates did a combination of skills, running and ball movement drills, Prestia completed a session that included tempo running and a series of near flat-out sprints.

 

Football manager Marcus Ashcroft said he was progressing as Gold Coast had expected.

 

"Hopefully by Christmas he's back to 100 percent … and when he comes back (from holidays) in the new year, he's ready to join in and train," Ashcroft said.

 

"We just have to reassess after each training session, but he ran strongly today."

 

Ablett is also progressing well following surgery for the dislocated shoulder that kept him out of the final seven games of the 2014 season.

 

Previously the Suns captain had favoured his left shoulder when running – not wanting it to bounce around - but on Wednesday it was barely noticeable as he joined in some basic drills, including chest marking the football.

 

"It won't be an issue," Ashcroft said.

 

"We're just conscious of him not joining in contact drills at this stage. He's doing everything asked of him at the moment."