Timm Klose is eyeing a prompt return to first-team action with Norwich City, with the Swiss international targeting a return to full training next week.
The 31-year-old has been sidelined since August, when he suffered a serious knee injury during the Canaries' League Cup defeat to League Two outfit Crawley Town.
After a six month injury lay-off, Klose is hoping to boost Daniel Farke's central defensive options by returning to the fold quicker than anticipated.
"The injury is at its final stage and we're looking at around a week and then I'm, hopefully, fully back with the squad and ready to go out there again and compete," he explained.
"It's a great feeling to be out there again and running around with no pain anymore. It's been a long time, about six months now in total.
"They told me that it could be an end of the season thing but I'm happy I came back faster and I'm looking strong, fit and I'm looking forward to going out there again."
Klose was a major protagonist in the opening half of City's title-winning Championship campaign before a less severe knee injury halted his progress.
Speaking after a signing session at the club's Fan Hub at Jarrold Intersport in Norwich city centre on Friday, Klose revealed his spell on the sidelines has been difficult to process mentally.
"The start was very hard because I had a lot of plans, I wanted to show everyone after the half-season I had in the Championship when I already struggled with my knee, that I'm back fit again and I sorted the knee out and then unfortunately there was another injury to it," he said.
"I played pretty much every game until January (last year) and then all of a sudden I had this stuff with my knee, it started last year actually.
"Then you get promoted and you're looking forward to playing in the Premier League and then you get benched or sidelined; that's hard. You see the team out there fighting for every point and you want to help."
Farke has seen his defensive options limited due to reoccurring injuries to his key operators. Christoph Zimmermann is the latest injury concern for City, with the towering German a major doubt for the Canaries' trip to Wolves tomorrow (2pm kick-off) with a hamstring injury.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here