RUCKMAN Rhett Biglands is on track to make his return to footy when Adelaide takes on Collingwood in Dubai on February 9.

Biglands has not played in the 15 months since snapping his anterior cruciate ligament in the Crows’ preliminary final loss to West Coast in 2006.

The 134–game veteran was taken off the club’s long-term injury list towards the end of last season, but the coaching staff opted to rest the 30-year-old in preparation for 2008.

Crows physical performance manager Stephen Schwerdt said Biglands would be available to play in the NAB Cup clash with Collingwood.

“It would only be a selection issue with Rhett,” Schwerdt said.

“He’s been into full training right from the start of the pre-season. It was touch and go this year as to whether he actually played at the end of last season.”

Also on the comeback trail is forward Trent Hentschel, who suffered a horrific knee injury just three weeks prior to Biglands’ demise.

The injury, which at the time was compared to that of a car crash victim, required several operations including a full knee reconstruction, which Hentschel underwent earlier this year.

Hentschel, whose birthday falls on Christmas Day, received an early present last week when he was given permission to join his teammates in a competitive session for the first time since the injury.

The promising forward’s goal is to play in February’s Middle East clash, which is scheduled one week shy of a year since his knee reconstruction.

“Trent’s good, you might have seen him out there running,” Schwerdt said.

“He did his time trial and did a pretty good time then he did the rest of the session with the guys. He’s started to do some football work with the main group of players and that will continue over the next couple of months. It’s so far so good with Trent.”

A lean Hentschel will join the entire playing group in Dubai, but a few niggling setbacks might set his playing return back a few weeks.

“It's funny with the guys who have knee reconstructions. His was a bit worse than normal, but he hasn’t had any major setbacks,” Schwerdt said.

“He’s had a couple of little, minor soft tissue problems, but that’s not unexpected. We’re really happy with the way he’s progressed.”

“There’s a bit of water to go under the bridge yet. Trent’s still got a few boxes to cross off, but its still six or seven weeks until Dubai. Time will tell how he goes, but as I said he’s on track.”

Biglands and Hentschel both impressed in Monday morning’s two-hour conditioning session where half of the players completed a 3km time trial before the entire group was split into teams for a series of in 800m, 400m and 300m races.

The gruelling schedule and warm weather got the better of some players who left the track completely exhausted, but aspiring midfielder Richie Douglas starred, edging out the super-fit Brett Burton and Nathan van Berlo in the final sprint of the day.

“Richard [Douglas] is one guy who has been particularly impressive in the pre-season so far,” Schwerdt said.

“He’s a terrific competitor and he’s been at the club a couple of years now. You might have seen him take on Brett Burton and do a pretty good job.”

“Overall it’s been a solid five weeks of training. Last week was a bit of a light week, so we thought we’d crank it up again this week before the boys break for Christmas. It’s been pleasing so far. You can never fault the way our guys come back, they always present themselves in good shape.”