David Pocock is in line for his long-awaited Brumbies return against the Waratahs this weekend after three months out with a knee problem.
Pocock sustained the injury following his return to Super Rugby after two seasons in Japan's Top League with the Panasonic Wild Knights.
The back-row forward – who skipped the previous Super Rugby campaign to take a sabbatical – underwent surgery on a damaged meniscus in January.
He was expected to miss at least eight of the Brumbies' matches in the 2018 campaign, however he is ready to return ahead of schedule.
"If Pocock is feeling available to me he'll be playing," said Brumbies coach Dan McKellar.
"At this point in time, all the signs are leaning towards that, so, if I was to make a decision now he'll have some involvement on Saturday.
"Poey is a world-class player…he provides energy and experience."
The Brumbies also hope to have hooker Robbie Abel and co-captain Sam Carter back for their derby clash at Canberra Stadium.
McKellar added: "Carter has just come through a pretty heavy unit session, live scrum, live maul and put himself in a few collisions there. So, it's positive and we'll see how he pulls up.
"They [Carter, Pocock and Abel] are training and ticking boxes, so we'll make a decision and make that decision on Thursday."
