Melbourne Storm coach gives Ryan Papenhuyzen an important update on his knee injury recovery

Melbourne full-back Ryan Papenhuyzen has resumed walking on grass with the clearest signs but is nearing his long-awaited return from his knee injury.

But trainer Craig Bellamy is still hesitant to confirm when the 24-year-old will be back at the park.

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Papenhuyzen has not played since mid-July when he broke his kneecap in a tackle with Canberra’s Jack Wighton, causing him significant pain.

Papenhuyzen began a long recovery process that took him to Philadelphia to see Bill Knowles, the reconditioning specialist who worked with Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic on their injuries.

Originally scheduled to return between rounds six and eight, Papenhuyzen began running again on a treadmill before switching to clay.

The full-back started walking on grass this week, which Bellamy said bodes well for a strike team amid a staffing crisis.

“He’s made some progress. He actually started walking on land,” Bellamy said.

“I think that’s a progression, I’m not exactly sure how strong a progression is.”

However, Bellamy was reluctant to confirm a timeline for his full-back’s return to the game.

“Of course we don’t want to take any risks,” he said.

“It was a long process. There’s still a bit of work ahead of me, I would imagine.

“But you want to believe that this is a really positive step forward. We just have to see how we continue from there.”

Melbourne are also missing Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Tepai Moeroa and Dean Ieremia through injury, while halfback Jahrome Hughes is suspended until next week.