After being plagued with injury since joining the Brisbane Lions during the 2012 AFL trade period, Stefan Martin is nearing a return to the field.

Martin was recruited from Melbourne as a versatile forward/ruck option and made an immediate impact as a valuable member of the Lions’ breakthrough NAB Cup premiership side.

But he suffered a serious ankle injury early in the team’s Round 4 match against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium, which would keep him out of the senior side for an extended period.

Martin eventually returned to face Richmond in Round 20 at the MCG, before a hamstring injury prematurely ended his first season at the Lions.

His second pre-season at the Club was hampered by a persistent back injury, and has kept the 27-year-old out of action throughout the opening months of the 2014 season.

However, Martin finally looks set to return to the field, with Strength and Conditioning Coach Matt Hass, of the Bupa Recovery Team, revealing that he could potentially even line-up up this Saturday in the NEAFL.

“Stef’s very close, he’ll be pushing for a game this week,” Hass told LIONS TV as part of the Bupa Recovery Report.

“He’ll train fully, and we’ll put him through a fitness test later in the week. We’ll let Leppa know if he’s available on Friday.”

Martin might be somewhat of a forgotten man among Lions fans, but his height and athleticism could prove a real asset for Justin Leppisch and his coaching staff in the second half of the season.