DAYNE Beams will be put through his paces this week in a bid to play his first game of the season against Port Adelaide on Sunday.
The Brisbane Lions midfielder has been dogged by knee tendinitis since early in the new year, but is finally on the verge of a return.
Beams will train with the main group all week, with his ultimate test coming in Friday's main session at the Gabba.
With no more hiccups, the 26-year-old will return straight to the senior team.
After being a joint winner of the Lions' best and fairest last year, Beams underwent off-season shoulder surgery that he overcame before suffering the tendinitis.
He has run strongly over the past month to regain his fitness – and the Adelaide Oval is considered one of the best and most forgiving surfaces in the competition.
Brisbane Lions Football Manager Matthew Francis is hopeful that we will see Beams in action this weekend.
"Dayne has done rigorous and thorough rehabilitation on his knee in recent months," Francis told lions.com.au.
"He was close to playing last weekend but we thought we’d give him another week of conditioning.
"If he can get through a whole week of training, he’s expected to make his return."
Beams' availability is a mouth-watering proposition for the Lions, who have rarely had their first choice midfield on the park together since he arrived prior to the 2015 season.
Just three times in 28 games have Beams, Tom Rockliff, Daniel Rich and Pearce Hanley shared the field at the same time.
If everything goes to plan this week, Sunday should make it a fourth time.
Keep an eye on lions.com.au for the full Recovery Report later today.
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