A ray of hope has appeared through the injury cloud over Jharal Yow Yeh, with Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin hopeful the ex-Test winger will be fit to play in NRL pre-season trials.
Yow Yeh has vowed to end almost two years on the NRL sidelines by making a 2014 round one return after starting pre-season training a week earlier than expected.
And Griffin says Yow Yeh has already impressed after beginning his first full pre-season since his devastating compound ankle fracture.
"I am hoping so," said Griffin, when asked if Yow Yeh was on track to feature in pre-season trials.
"He's obviously doing his first off-season.
"He couldn't do one last year. He wasn't at a point where he could contribute.
"He's got through a whole lot of work and is moving a lot better.
"We have our fingers crossed come February he can trial."
It's welcome news for the 23-year-old former Queensland State of Origin flyer.
Yow Yeh felt compelled to speak out publicly earlier this month to end speculation he had hit "breaking point" in his recovery.
Reports claimed Yow Yeh had to be urged by senior Broncos teammates not to give up on his comeback from the injury suffered against South Sydney in March 2012.
He underwent skin grafts and eight operations in 10 months before finally returning to the second tier Queensland Cup in April this year.
But his season was ended in August when he broke his hand moving a fridge for his mum, prompting fresh rumours that Yow Yeh was set to pull the plug on his NRL career.
"We are all just hoping we get to see him next year in a Broncos jersey," Griffin said.
"He is doing everything he can. He is way ahead of where he was this time last year.
"We are just hoping he keeps progressing.
"I know he has a great positive attitude.
"He is seeing himself playing next year so we just have to support him."
Share
