When he collapsed in agony on the touchline at Wigan Athletic on 4 March, the prospect of seeing Jack Collison in a West Ham United shirt again this season appeared to be a remote one.
The 20-year-old, who has been a revelation after breaking into Gianfranco Zola's side this campaign, was diagnosed with a dislocated kneecap and ruled out for two months.
Just seven weeks on, the Wales international midfielder is preparing to resume full training and is well on course to make a first team comeback before the end of the season.
Collison's rehabilitation has seen him work intensively with the club's medical staff, spending long hours at the club's Chadwell Heath training ground, where he resumed running at full speed on the grass last week.
This week the youngster is planning to return to full training with his team-mates and is desperate to return to competitive action to help the Hammers secure a top-seven Barclays Premier League finish and a place in next season's UEFA Europa League.
"I've been working really hard with the medical team over the last few weeks. I've had a lot of long days down at the swimming pool and been doing lots of running and hopefully I'll be back in full training on Wednesday," said West Ham's No31, who has scored three goals in 20 league and cup appearances in claret and blue this term.
"I dislocated my knee. It popped out of place. Luckily it wasn't too serious in the end so now I've just got to concentrate on getting back to full fitness. Hopefully I can have one last push at the end of the season.
"I've pretty much done everything and I'm now ready to go back into full training with the boys. It'll be later in the week and that's what I've been aiming for over the last few weeks. To make another appearance or two before the end of the season and help the team to try and qualify for Europe would be great."
The fixture before Collison suffered his injury, midfield colleague Valon Behrami suffered a more serious anterior cruciate ligament injury to his knee. The Switzerland international is also working hard at Chadwell Heath and hopes to be back in training in August.
Collison, for one, believes Behrami, who turned 24 on 19 April, has both the application and physical conditioning to come back stronger than ever from his own setback when he returns in the new season.
"Obviously every time you get injured it's not a nice feeling and unfortunately for Valon he's going to be out for a little bit longer. He's a good character and I'm sure he's going to come back strong, as I'm planning to within the next few weeks."