Tom Bellchambers is ‘ahead of schedule’ in his recovery from a knee injury. 

The Essendon ruckman had surgery about three weeks ago after a knee surface issue flared.

It was expected to take a month before he resumed running, but the 27 year old started to tick the legs over this week.

“I started running earlier this week, so I’ve run twice now and that’s ahead of schedule which is good,” Bellchambers said.

“It’s a little frustrating, I wish I was out there today especially with the sun shining. 

“Basically I had a bit of cartilage in my knee floating around which I tried to get going pre-Christmas… I was good for about a month or so but then I sort of broke down.

“But it’s tracking well." 

Bellchambers expects to be nearing full fitness around the start of the season.

“It’s a long year so I’d rather get myself right now than try and push myself back and miss a couple of early games … I really want to get some continuity,” Bellchambers said.

When Bellchambers does return he could partner Matthew Leuenberger in the ruck.

Leuenberger carried most of the ruck duties last season, but the return of Bellchambers provides Coach John Worsfold with extra firepower in the midfield and up forward.

“Leuey is great – he’s a really good guy to have around the Football Club,” Bellchambers said.

“On the field he’s a really good ruckman and I played some juniors with him in the All-Australian u/18 team, so I know Leuey quite well. 

“I’m really looking forward to starting a combination with him and hopefully he and I changing between forward and ruck can be dangerous for the team.” 

Bellchambers said he had been impressed by the development of the Club’s young players over the last 12 months, including Kyle Langford.

“When I left he was sort of that half forward role and he was trying to find himself, now he’s running around in the midfield and he doesn’t look out of place at all,” he said. 

“That’s really exciting for the team.”