It’s been a year to forget for Will Walker, but finally there’s light at the end of tunnel.

North Melbourne GM of Football Cameron Joyce says Walker’s rehab from a knee injury is now progressing well, and he will hopefully be back running in time for the 2020 preseason.

Walker damaged his PCL against Adelaide late last season, but has had a number of setbacks since, including a stress fracture in his tibia.

“He’s gone through a period of twelve weeks where he’s managed to tick every box of his rehab before running. He had an MRI and his knee looks healed now which will hopefully give him the confidence to progress to the next step,” Joyce said.

“We’re hoping that by the end of the season he’ll be back running, and by October he’ll be starting to gain some conditioning.”

Joyce not only praised Walker’s approach to his physical rehab, but also the way he’s approached his setbacks from a mental standpoint.

“He’s not only had to overcome the healing process, but also the mental side of long term injury rehabilitation,” Joyce said.

Walker ran on the Alter-G, a weight bearing treadmill, for the first time on Monday, and despite the light load on his knee, it represents a huge step in his comeback bid.

“We’re starting with very small steps with Will and building gradually, to set him up for a big pre-season” Joyce added.