JARED Polec’s recovery from a foot injury is tracking well and could see him fit for the beginning of season 2016.

Port Adelaide head of high performance Darren Burgess told portadelaidefc.com.au while Polec is back running, there's still a fair way to go before he’s ready to play in the NAB Challenge.

“He’s been running now for four weeks, so we’re not expecting miracles but hopefully sometime after Christmas he’ll be joining in full training and ready to go,” Burgess said.

“We’re really happy with where he is at the moment, it’s been a deliberately conservative process and it’ll still be that way – really conservative.”

The 22-year old was sidelined in Round 5, 2015 with a navicular bone injury, sitting out the remainder of the season.

He’s been putting in the extra yards to retain his fitness, including coming out to the 1-4 year players preseason on Monday morning to get some extra training under his belt.

Polec ran steady laps as his teammates completed a 3km time trial and skills practice.

Burgess explained they’ll continue to take his recovery slowly and hopefully Polec will be fit to play come March.

“So far, so good…there’s been no hiccups or anything like that,” he said.

“He’ll continue his running progressions, and hopefully join in full training around mid to late January, and hopefully, all going well, should be right for the start of the season.”