Kevin Nisbet has targeted a return to Hibs within four months as he battles back from an ACL injury sustained last season, but knows he won't just walk back into the team.
The Scotland striker was crocked in a challenge with Celtic defender Carl Starfelt in February and has been sidelined since.
Nisbet, from Cambuslang, says he has been working hard since undergoing surgery, and hopes his recovery is on track, though he will miss the start of the Premiership season.
Now, he says his target is to impress new boss Lee Johnson.
The 25-year-old said: "I think it's one of those injuries where you just need to take it week by week really.
"I think I'm four-and-a-half months in now, so maybe another three and a bit to best-case scenario.
"The first three months were really hard until I saw the surgeon and he gave me the all clear. Since then I've been doing a lot more stuff, in the gym and out on the park as well which is good.
"It's a bit soul destroying going to the gym yourself but it's something you need to do. I've put in the hard work and it's starting to pay off now.
"It's really tough. It's hard to see the boys out on the park, playing games and having a laugh, and you're stuck in the gym doing the same things over and over. It's one of those ones that builds character having to deal with situations and it will stand me in good stead.
"I don't really get injured much. Didn't miss a lot of games, maybe a couple of weeks here and there. Having this injury is eye-opening for me, I think you appreciate football a lot more and I just can't wait to get back."
With Jack Ross away before Nisbet's injury, and replacement Shaun Maloney dismissed in April, Nisbet would be forgiven for having fears over how now he's perceived by Johnson.
However, he said: "We've obviously had conversations, I'm still well in his plans. We've had conversations about how I can improve my game as well, but for me it was just about getting myself back as quick as possible. I'm in a really good place physically and mentally.
"I know I'm not going to walk back in, I need to go out and impress the manager and score goals.
"This year we've got a lot of competition which I like. We probably didn't have it last year so it didn't push me on as much."
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