Melbourne star Ryan Papenhuyzen will play his first match in more than a year as he targets a return to the NRL in time for the finals.
The Storm fullback will play for feeder club the Sunshine Coast Falcons on Saturday.
Papenhuyzen shattered his right kneecap in 10 places in round 18 against Canberra last year, with his return to match fitness taking 384 days.
The 25-year-old has had a frustrating rehabilitation, travelling to the United States earlier this year to seek specialist treatment with reconditioning guru Bill Knowles.
He turned a corner about a month ago and has been able to up his workload and train with the NRL side.
Papenhuyzen said he was trying to treat his return like a normal week.
“It hasn’t really sunk in, so I’m just going through the training week and trying to prepare like it’s a normal game,” he said.
“It’s been a while between drinks and it’s had its ups and setbacks.
“It’s probably taken a bit longer than I expected but at the same time, I’m happy I did (the rehabilitation).
“It’s been long enough now that I feel ready.”
Papenhuyzen hasn’t put a date on a potential NRL return but says he wants to be back playing with the fourth-placed Storm ahead of the finals.
“It’s a big step back after such a significant injury,” he said of this weekend’s Queensland Cup clash.
“I want to be back playing NRL, so I’ve got a bit to go to achieve the goals. I just have to keep doing the work.”
Storm coach Craig Bellamy suggested Papenhuyzen would need an extended stint in the Queensland Cup before playing in the NRL.
“He hasn’t played rugby league for a long time … he’ll need some time just to find his feet,” Bellamy said after the Storm’s 46-14 win against Parramatta on Friday night.
“We’d love him to be at his best in the finals but he hasn’t played for 12 months. It was a horrible injury that he’s come back from.
“It’s taken him probably a bit longer than everyone thought, all the medical people thought, so there’s no pressure on him (and) there’s no pressure on us to have to pick him.”
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