LIONS DEFENDER Dan Merrett has overcome previous hamstring injury setbacks, is running at maximum speed and is likely to play the next round in the NEAFL against the Gold Coast Suns.

BUPA Recovery Report: Round 12

Elite Performance Manager Brett Burton confirmed in the Bupa Report this afternoon that Merrett returned to the main training group yesterday afternoon.

“Dan’s going really well, he’s obviously been out since round two with that hamstring complication. He’s been moving along really well in rehab over the last couple of weeks.

“He ticked off top speed and trained with the main group yesterday for the first time. We’ll be looking for him to play either half a game for the Reserves next week or he’ll be back for a full game in Round 14.”

A senior return for Merrett would ease some of the pressure on young defenders Marco Paparone and Justin Clarke (both having played less than 50 games) who have shouldered more responsibility in the absence of Darcy Gardiner and Merrett. 

Full injury list can be found at the BUPA Health Centre