Black’s on track

Simon Black is ready to resume running at full speed for the first time since undergoing going minor surgery on his knee late last year.

The Courier Mail reported on Wednesday that Black, who turns 34 in April, was expected to increase his running load on Tuesday.

However, the plan was shelved after the team’s training venue was changed from a rain-soaked Coorparoo to the Colmslie Hockey Centre.

Physical Performance Manager Brett Burton said every precaution would be taken to ensure that Black could fully overcome his latest setback.

“We didn’t want to run him out here today on this surface, but when we get back on Coorparoo he can hit the ground running,” Burton told LIONS TV.

Senior Coach Michael Voss, meanwhile, remains confident that his veteran midfielder will be available for selection in Round One.

"He's got a fairly tight deadline to meet but we are pretty confident he will be good to go," Voss told The Courier Mail.

"But by the same token, we build up round 1 so much and you have to remember that round 2 carries just as many premiership points.”

"We don't want to compromise the next 20-odd weeks for Blacky or the team, because the season is a marathon."

Black, who has played 314 AFL matches, needs a further 19 games to reach Fitzroy Legend Kevin Murray’s all-time Club record of 333 senior games.

He is also just four matches shy of Marcus Ashcroft’s record of 318 games with the Brisbane Lions.