Coach Brenton Sanderson says Taylor Walker is “up and about” ahead of his long-awaited return from injury on Friday night.

Walker will line up for the SANFL Crows in their ANZAC Day clash with the Bays at Glenelg. The star forward’s return comes nearly a year to the day since he ruptured his ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) and LCL (Lateral Collateral Ligament) against Carlton at the MCG in Round Five.

Walker, who turns 24 on Friday, has received clearance from his surgeon. Sanderson said the popular goalkicker should take confidence in his year-long rehabilitation, which included a trip to the US to visit knee rehab specialist Bill Knowles.

“Tex is up and about. He always is, but this week more than ever he’s getting excited and anxious. He just can’t wait to get out there. It’s been a long-time coming, but we’re right at the pointy end and we’re almost good to go,” Sanderson said on Thursday.

“Tex had to get final approval from the surgeon and that’s happened. The surgeon is happy with his knee. I’ve got a report in my office which is about eight pages long and goes through everything Tex has been through in the last 12 months. His knee is stronger than what it was prior to the injury. We’ve benchmarked strength testing and agility testing. He’s in a great position.”

Walker has been taking part in training drills for several months, impressing onlookers with his sharpness and lean figure. Sanderson praised the young leader for his attention to detail over the past year.

“Tex’s looked great on the track since Christmas. He hasn’t missed a beat and been in most of the competitive drills,” Sanderson said.

“He’s done some controlled contact. We’ve let him loose the last couple of weeks and he’s looked great. We’re hopeful it won’t be long before he’s back to his best.”

Sanderson said Walker would be managed in his first game back.

“I think he’ll probably play about 70 per cent,” he said.

“He can still play four quarters, but he’ll have time on the interchange. We’ve got to be aware he hasn’t played footy in 12 months, so we’ll certainly ease him back.”