Norwich City defender Timm Klose has uploaded a video to his social media of himself returning to the grass at Colney as he continues his recovery from a knee injury that has sidelined him since August.
The Switzerland international missed the start of the season because of hip trouble, and then suffered what turned out to be a long-term issue on his first appearance in the Carabao Cup tie at Crawley.
The club said scans showed "significant damage to the posterior cruciate ligament in Klose's right knee", with an original timeline indicating the defender would miss the entirety of the season.
Klose posted a video to his Instagram feed over the weekend that showed him running on grass unaided alongside one of City's sports scientists as he continues his rehabilitation.
"At the beginning of my injury, we said I wouldn't be fit until the end of the season, but now we're looking at the beginning of March or even earlier.
"That's fantastic for me, and it just shows me that I've been doing what I should be doing. I've been keeping everything right, my diet, the rehab, everything. The whole thing is on track, and we're seeing the benefits now."
The Swiss centre-back was an integral part of the City squad who lifted the Championship title, making 31 league appearances last season.
His influence after joining from Wolfsburg in January 2016 nearly saw the Canaries survive in the division and after finally returning to the top-flight, Klose has admitted it's been painful not to be involved in the action.
"It's very hard to watch the games, especially now we're finally back in the Premier League," Klose told BBC Radio Norfolk.
"When you have to watch the games on the sidelines or on television, it makes you shake inside, and you just want to go out there to help them and give them advice, but it's hard when you're not on the pitch to say something.
"The most important thing for me is to be there off the pitch and to have the right attitude so they can go out at the weekend. I'm happy to have another challenge."
Klose's last league game for the Canaries was the dramatic 2-2 draw with Sheffield Wednesday at Carrow Road in April.
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