HAWTHORN defender Matt Suckling is close to making his return to AFL football.

The booming left footer, who ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in a NAB Cup match in March last year is slated to make his return against North Melbourne in Tasmania on 21 February.  

Suckling has been back in full training since December and flew to South Africa with his teammates that month to participate in a training camp before Christmas.

He has impressed on the training track and told hawthornfc.com.au before heading to South Africa that he was feeling “as fit” and “as hungry” as ever.

Despite his eagerness to make a return, the  Hawks won’t rush him.

"He probably won't play Round 1 (of the pre-season competition), but he would be a chance for Round 2 depending on how he keeps progressing,'' Hawthorn General Manager – Football Operations Chris Fagan told News Limited.

"Pretty much since Christmas time he has been in full skills training, running and joining in training as normal.''

"He's going well but we're not going to rush him.

"When they're ready, they're ready. But we think he will play sometime during the NAB.”

Fellow defender Ryan Schoenmakers is also close to making his return, also from a knee reconstruction despite his injury occurring six weeks after Suckling’s.

With the Hawks scheduled to play only three practice matches in the lead-up to Round 1 with the final of those against Melbourne on 8 March, the defender could be given game time with the Club’s VFL affiliate instead.

Box Hill will play a number of practice matches before the Hawks kick-off their 2014 campaign against Brisbane in Tasmania on 22 March.

"Schoenmakers, probably (will return) sometime closer to the start of the season proper, he will start playing some games,'' Fagan said.

"He might play in some (VFL affiliate) Box Hill practice matches closer to the real stuff.

"He is sort of 6-8 weeks later than Matthew. He is a little bit behind him, he's not doing any match practice yet.

"But he's starting to get there. He is pretty much doing all the other drills.''

Talented midfield youngster Alex Woodward is also expected to make a return from his second knee reconstruction in as many years during the NAB Challenge.

Woodward, who is yet to play a senior game because of two knee injuries in his first two seasons with the Club, says he’s confident in his knees and can’t wait to make his return.

“The knee is feeling really good, which is really exciting for me. I’m fully confident in it,” he told hawthornfc.com.au last month.

“I’m starting to do some full training now, which is the last box I have to tick going into games.”

Hawthorn’s fourth knee victim, Brendan Whitecross meanwhile has begun running duties.

"He is going OK,” Fagan said of Whitecross who injured his knee in the Preliminary Final victory over Geelong.

“He is doing strength work and starting to run.”