DANNY Tickle says he remains on course to make a return to full training for Hull FC's all-important warm-weather camp in Tenerife.
The second-rower has spent pre-season in rehab recovering from a bicep injury which saw him play just once in the last three months of the 2012 campaign.
Tearing his bicep against Huddersfield Giants on July 1, Tickle returned for the last game of the regular season against Castleford Tigers.
However, a relapse in the injury ended his hopes of featuring in the play-offs.
Having spent the past two months building his muscles back up again, the 29-year-old is nearing a full return and is hoping for good news from an impending test to clear him for a full return.
"I've been doing the majority of stuff in training, I've just been staying out of contact really," Tickle told the Mail.
"I've done the lighter weights trying to develop the muscle, but now I've moved onto heavier weights and when I get the arm so it's at 90 per cent of my good left arm, I'll get it tested.
"Hopefully I'll get the all clear after the tests and then I can go back into full contact with the boys. The plan is for me to be back in full training in Tenerife. A lot of it will be skill-based sessions and working on structures, but there will be some contact too and I want to be able to do all that.
"I have to make sure I get the all-clear off the physio first though."
Tickle's return to full fitness is expected to be complemented by a return to full training in Tenerife of fellow England international Kirk Yeaman.
The centre has started running on his injured ankle now and is nearing full fitness. Richard Whiting has already returned to full training.
