When an athlete returns from injury often there is a mental barrier that outlives any physical restrictions.

The endless hours of recovery may have ultimately come to their end, but putting unconditional belief back into the body, to match the physical demands of professional sports is something no amount of physiotherapy can mentally create.

But recently re-signed SUNS midfielder, David Swallow, says the confidence he has in his fitness and body is growing with every completed training session.

READ: Swallow recommits to Gold Coast

“I’ve still got a fair bit of work to do but I think the club is pretty confident I can get back to a good standard, they were confident which gave me a lot of belief in myself that I can get back to playing AFL,” Swallow told the media on Friday.

“Putting time on the track and putting yourself in those positions out in training, regain belief in your body and I guess instinct sort of takes over a bit when you get out there.

“It’s a good challenge and something I look forward to.”

In order to prepare for his return to the senior level, Swallow has continuously worked on his endurance with the Gold Coast rehab and high performance team.

“I’ve been doing a lot of bike and a lot of cross training to fill in the time,” he said.

“A lot of positives to come out of it personally and I’m just looking forward to the next few years now.”

READ: Feels like we're at home, Ainsworth

Swallow put pen to paper earlier this week to extend his future with the SUNS until the end of the 2019 season.

The reception he received regarding the news from the playing group and the wider SUNS community has been increasingly positive.

“I think personally I felt like the timing was right and hopefully I can work towards having a better 2017 and put the last few years behind me,” he said.

“The game has changed a bit and it gets faster every year and more demanding.

“Hopefully the body of work that I’ve been doing can hold me in good stead.”