Jack Martin could make an immediate return to the AFL should Guy McKenna opt to mirror Zac Smith’s round seven comeback.
The Gold Coast ruckman made a successful return to fully fledged football against St. Kilda last month after completing an advanced-conditioning program designed to build his elite fitness base.
Smith has gone on to play all five games since making his long awaited return to the team, averaging an solid 28 hit-outs per contest.
Martin has followed a similar training regime to his taller-in-stature teammate, recommencing full training alongside the senior squad after receiving the green light from his shoulder specialist.
GC SUNS High Performance Manager, Stephen Schwerdt updated goldcoastfc.com.au on Martin’s injury status.
“Jack has been training pretty well for a long while now and has done a lot of training with Paul Haines our rehab coach,” Schwerdt said.
“He has been training with the team for the last two-three weeks and has done a lot of competitive work.
“So it is just a matter of seeing the specialist then getting the all clear to start playing. So Jack is not far away from getting back into the action; it’s been a long wait for him.”
Meanwhile, Karmichael Hunt will be given an additional week to overcome a niggling knee complaint.
The high-profile midfielder wasn’t named in the senior team to take on West Coast at Patersons Stadium on Saturday, after aggravating a previous knee injury.
But Schwerdt remains confident Hunt would be available for selection next week.
“He (Hunt) didn’t play on the weekend and won’t play this week,” the head fitness chief said.
“We’ll give him another week off, but we’re pretty confident he will be back the following week.”
Meanwhile, Daniel Gorringe is on pace to make a return to the main training group, while fellow tall timber Tom Nicholls is progressing well from his PCL injury.
“It’s a long process for Tommy; he’s going to run in three-four weeks but hopefully will begin to up his gym and bike work in the next couple of weeks.
“He has a bit of work to do but he’s slowly making progress which is pleasing.”
