Kiwi international Alex Glenn is confident of returning in Brisbane's NRL pre-season trials after starting his four-month rehabilitation from shoulder surgery.
The Broncos backrower was forced to watch New Zealand's Four Nations campaign in the UK from the couch after undergoing an end-of-season shoulder reconstruction.
The veteran had carried the injury through the back end of Brisbane's season.
But the 12-Test Kiwi forward is one step closer to a return after hitting the gym for the first time since surgery on Friday.
He was confident of featuring in Brisbane's pre-season which includes a trial against defending NRL champions Cronulla in Redcliffe on February 4 - the same weekend of the Auckland Nines.
The Broncos also have a World Club Series clash with English Super League side Warrington in the UK on February 18.
Brisbane's official NRL season opener is against the Sharks in Sydney on March 2.
"The shoulder has been really good - I have had a good recovery," Glenn, 28, told the Broncos website.
"My surgery went really well. I had a big screw in there just to hold my AC joint in and that got removed on Monday.
"I'm looking forward to starting my rehab.
"I'm just excited to get back with the boys and work my butt off for 2017."
