Jaeger O’Meara’s comeback from post season knee surgery is edging closer by the day with the Gold Coast midfielder expected to re-join the main group in some capacity next week.
 
The 21-year-old visited world-renowned orthopaedic surgeon Dr Hakan Alfredson in London last November to undergo a specialist procedure that involved both his knee caps being shaved.
 
For the majority of the 2014 campaign, O’Meara endured lingering pain in both his knees which prevented him from training much at all between games. It was decided at season’s end to pursue a remedy that would help extend his career long term.
 
The SUNS begin their season on Sunday afternoon against Geelong in Townsville in the opening weekend of the NAB Challenge series. O’Meara is on track to feature in the final game of the pre-season and he may play in a NEAFL practice match before the game against the Brisbane Lions at Metricon Stadium on March 20.
 
Since commencing running a fortnight ago, the West Australian product has rapidly increased the intensity of his conditioning with his knees responding well to the elevation in workload.

VIDEO: See assistant coach Matthew Primus' assessment of the SUNS midfield group

“The body is feeling really good, I’ve resumed running and my knees have responded really well to the increase in training,’’ O’Meara told the Courier Mail.

“I’m not the most patient person and running around the boundary line while the other boys are completing match practice is frustrating.”

O’Meara won’t allow himself to return before his rehabilitation is complete, with his longevity in the game the priority.

The emerging star acknowledges the reality he must be patient with this process, despite his body reacting positively to increases in his training load.

“I can’t wait to get back out there, but I need to be patient, I know how important it is to complete my rehabilitation correctly to ensure I have no complications or setbacks down the track.”