Carlton co-captain Sam Docherty is eyeing a return to training prior to the new year as he works his way back from cancer treatment.
Docherty revealed a recurrence of his testicular cancer in August, with the 28-year-old having to undergo further chemotherapy and placing his 2022 preparations on hold.
The fearless Blues leader is now eyeing a return to training as early as next month, in what would be a stellar welcoming for his teammates at Ikon Park.
With players at all clubs preparing to return to the training track in the coming weeks, newly-appointed Carlton chief executive Brian Cook has revealed that Docherty may join his fellow Blues for pre-season training prior to the Christmas break.
“I had a chat to him last weekend and he just completed his last treatment, I think it was his fifth lot,” Cook said on SEN.
“He is such a dogged person and he just wants to come back and start training. I think he’s hoping and wanting to come back to training in early December.”
Docherty's ascending chances of featuring for the Blues in Round 1 next year will be a major boost to the club's hopes for 2022.
Following the retirement of key-defender Liam Jones, Docherty's leadership and presence in the Blues' backline will be amplified.
The luckless defender has played 30 games since the start of last year, which followed two campaigns on the sidelines due to knee injuries.
The former Lions draftee has played a total of 109 games in the navy blue since arriving from Brisbane at the end of 2013, winning a John Nicholls Medal in 2016 and his maiden All-Australian blazer the following year.