Northampton Saints expect Courtney Lawes to be fit for the start of the season.
It had previously been feared the England lock was set for an extended period on the sidelines with elbow injury.
But Saints performance director Nick Johnson reckons he is on course to be available at the beginning of the new campaign
"He's rehabbing well," Johnston told the Northampton Chronicle & Echo.
"We hope to have him fit for the start of the season. He has had a big pre-season so we're not to worry about that. Courtney physically is in very good shape, in terms of being physically fit, his running fitness."
The formidable second-row has been hampered by injuries over the past year, with knee and shin injuries keeping him on the treatment table.
Johnston added: "Our plan was never to rush Courtney back because of the nature of his original injury. We're trying to build him up for the start of the season. We've spent a lot of time getting him to where he is and we will continue to do that with Courtney.
"He's going well at the moment, he's been good to have around, he's been mixing protein shakes, he's been doing his fitness early with the guys in the morning and he's been a key team member here because he's a really good lad."
