Majak Daw is hopeful of a return within the next three-to-four weeks, after avoiding surgery on his torn pectoral muscle.

The defender suffered the injury doing a weights session on Friday, but is already on the comeback trail after returning to the gym on Monday.

“They are saying it’s about three weeks until I can play, but I’m going obviously going to try really hard and push myself to get back quicker,” Daw told North Media.

The 29-year-old revealed how the injury occurred.

“I was in the gym doing some dumbbell press. I did the first set and it was fine. I did the first and second rep, and on the third rep I just felt something rip,” Daw said.

“I dropped the dumbbell and was in a bit of shock. It was pretty painful.”

Despite the initial scare and the grim reality of a potential eight-week period on the sidelines, Daw was back at the club the following day, even managing a push-up.

“Obviously it’s pretty well known I haven’t played footy in a long time, and I just miss footy,” he said.

“It’s a new injury. It’s a new challenge, but the hunger’s still there to come back and play AFL footy.”