Ricky Henderson hopes to make his return from injury in a few weeks.

Henderson, 25, had surgery after fracturing his tibia near the ankle at training in February.

The athletic utility has been running for several weeks and is joining in select training drills.

It’s still too early to put an exact date on Henderson’s playing return, but he’s expected to progress to full training in the coming fortnight with a view to returning with Adelaide’s SANFL team in about a month.

Teammate David Mackay said it would be a “real bonus” for the team to get a fit Henderson back in the latter half of the season.

“Hendo is up and about. He’s a few weeks away from getting back and it’s going to be a real bonus for us,” Mackay said on Monday.

“He’s a quality player and really important in the way we structure up. He’s going to give us that real speed and extra defender, who can take the game on and give us a bit of run and carry.

“It’ll be really exciting to get Rick back.”

Henderson was one of Adelaide’s best players in the second half of last season.

The former rookie established himself as a damaging rebounding defender, averaging 24 disposals in his last seven games before a knee injury put a premature end to his season.