AFTER an extended period away from the game due to concussion, North Melbourne midfielder Leigh Adams has begun to step up his training after expressing a keenness to resume his career.
Adams has not played since being concussed in a VFL practice match against Footscray before Easter.
He has consulted specialists and had discussions with the club to ensure his long-term health and wellbeing wouldn't be compromised if he returned to the game.
North Melbourne football manager Geoff Walsh told SEN the Kangaroos were pleased that Adams had been given a clean bill of health and the midfielder's intention was to build his training program.
"Pleasingly, in the last four to five weeks particularly, he has started to train really well [and] he's feeling well, [which] is the main thing," Walsh said on Wednesday.
"He's of the mindset that he is now ready to get back on the horse."
Walsh said the club would get Adams fit enough to potentially resume while ensuring he was also mentally well.
North Melbourne has deflected talk of Adams retiring, with Walsh saying the initial focus had been on making sure Adams was physically and mentally in a good enough state to make a considered decision about his future.
"We haven't said specifically our discussion centred around retirement, but certainly the long-term welfare aspect is something that is always uppermost in ours and Leigh's mind as well," Walsh said.
Adams, 27, has played 104 games for the Kangaroos. His most recent senior game was round 23, 2014 and he missed the finals with concussion.