YOUNG tall Tom De Koning has taken another significant step forward in his return from injury.
De Koning has this week returned to full training with the main group and is expected to be available for selection in the coming weeks.
The second year Blue suffered a knee injury during a pre-season practice match with the Northern Blues which has seen him sidelined for the last 10 weeks.
“Tom De Koning is back in full training which is great,” Director of High Performance Andrew Russell said.
“It’s ten weeks since he had that knee injury. This week or next week, he should be playing.”
It will be a welcome return for De Koning, who was best-on-ground on a number of occasions while playing with the Northern Blues in the pre-season.
The news, however, is not as positive for defender Tom Williamson.
Williamson found himself on the sidelines again after hyperextending his back against Collingwood.
The luckless defender is expected to spend more time on the sideline, with the Club taking a cautious approach to managing his injury.
“Tom Williamson’s back hasn’t settled as we’d expected,” Russell said.
“We don’t think he’ll play for the next three or four weeks at least.
“We’re in the process of getting some more specialist information to find out what our plan is.”
