AFTER suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in Round 11 last season, Jake Lever says he is back on track with his rehabilitation, despite facing some minor challenges along the way.

“Pre-Christmas there was a little bit of a hiccup just with the nerve around the knee,” Lever told Melbourne Media.

“It wasn’t too much of an issue … it was just a little procedure that I had.

“Now post-Christmas it’s travelling really well.

“I’m back feeling good and a bit happier with myself in terms of the knee, so it’s been really positive since then.”

The 22-year-old has fast-tracked his recovery in recent weeks, reaching some significant personal milestones.

“I would’ve run probably 30km’s in four sessions this week which has been really positive from where I’ve come from six or seven weeks ago when I couldn’t run too much,” Lever said.

“I think over the next one or two months I’ll definitely be joining back in with the main group and I’m just looking forward to getting back out there and feeling a part of it again.”

After missing out on finals action in the red and blue last year, Lever has been desperate to shorten his stint on the sidelines.

But with some unrealistic goals initially in place, he has since realised that the expectations he placed on himself required adjustment.

“Early on I did really have a goal and it was sort of that nine to 10-month [period] that I wanted to be back by,” he said.

“Over the past two or three months I’ve just settled down in terms of my goal setting and just focused on three weeks at a time.

“Sitting down with the physios and strength guys I felt like I was looking too far ahead and every time I wouldn’t achieve something they set me out to do, I would be really frustrated.

“For me at the minute it’s just about setting little goals and I think mentally it’s actually been really beneficial for me.”

Lever is no stranger to an ACL recovery program, suffering the same injury as a 17-year-old prior to being drafted to the Crows.

This repeat of fate was a heartbreaking scenario for the defender, although he admits he is now better placed to deal with the major setback.

“When I did it the second time, I sort of knew what it was going to entail over the next 12 months,” Lever said.

“But then over time I’ve just been able to compare the two which has helped.

“For me it’s just about seeing what I did well the first time and trying to mirror that, but also this time I’ve been in a professional environment.

“To be able to come in every day and just have 100 percent focus on getting my knee right has been really helpful.”

Lever hasn’t highlighted a return date, but knows he is now in a great position to return at full strength this season.