Star midfielder Nathan Foley has agreed to a new three-year deal with AFL club Richmond.
Foley, 26, was enjoying a good year until he suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon injury last month.
He also battled serious Achilles problems in 2009-10, but was able to play all 22 matches last year.
“I went and saw the surgeon last Tuesday and everything’s going to plan,” Foley told Richmond’s website.
“It’s pretty quiet at the moment, there’s not too much you can do.
“But I’ve had no infection, or any dramas with it, so it’s all going smoothly at the moment.
“I’ll slowly transition out of the boot probably in the next fortnight and then probably in a months time I’ll start getting some strength into it.”
Foley was encouraged by the way Hawthorn star Jarryd Roughead had recovered from a similar injury this year.
“It’s just a waiting game at the moment,” he said.
“You know what to expect a bit more and, to be honest, this injury’s probably a bit more predictable than other injuries I’ve had in terms of rehabbing, so it should be fine.”
Foley – who is now contracted to the club until the end of the 2015 season – has played 120 games for the Tigers.