Lions utility back Gianni Lombard said the hardest part about his long-term knee injury was seeing his team-mates playing on the field.
Lombard suffered an ACL tear in his right knee in November last year, his second such injury in his fledgling career since suffering the same fate, with an MCL tear as well, on the opposite knee in a match against the Chiefs in 2019.
"Rehab has been going well, working with the Lions medical staff, they've really pushed me," said Lombard.
"Coming back from the [previous] injury, I had already put in all the hard work and had just started playing well again but then I injured my right knee. [I thought], am I going to come back from this injury again?
"The hardest part was seeing all my mates playing on the field. What made it easier for me was just the motivation to come back stronger and make a great comeback, and be a better player than I was before.
"I've recovered really fast this time and I'm going to stay positive. By May I'll be training with the team and hopefully by June I can start playing. I'm working towards that goal and I want to be a better player by then."
The Lions gave an injury update on Tuesday about the 23-year-old's progress, as it appears he will be ready for a return this October, although the player is targeting a June return to action.