GRANT Birchall says completing a mini pre-season in preparation for his return from injury has him feeling fit and ready for his comeback game against Collingwood at the MCG on Friday night.

Birchall hasn’t played for two months, missing the last eight weeks with a posterior cruciate ligament injury in his knee sustained against the Blues in Round 12.

With a tough, high-intensity clash expected between the two sides, Birchall says he’s confidence in the fitness regime he has completed in the lead-up to the game, but says no doubt adjusting to the pace of the game will take time.

“My knee is going really well, the last two or three weeks I’ve had a bit of a mini pre-season to try and get my fitness base back up,” he told hawthornfc.com.au

“I’m feeling pretty good; I’m feeling fresh so hopefully I can play some good footy.

“I’ve had a good two or three week block so I guess time will tell, no doubt I’ll be blowing a little bit early in the game.

“I’m confident though in the fitness guys and my preparation leading into the game.”

The eight-week layoff is the longest the Hawks running defender has spent out of the game, having missed only three of a possible 25 matches last year and two of a possible 24 the year before.

He has been an incredibly durable player for the Hawks over his 163-game career and admits it has been difficult sitting on the sidelines and watching his teammates get one game clear on top of the AFL ladder.

One game sticks out though for the 25 year old though, who revealed watching his teammates struggle against the Tigers in Round 19 and eventually be beaten by 41 points was particularly difficult.

“It has been tough; it’s something that I haven’t been used to in recent years,” he said.

“This is the longest time I’ve been out of the game, which has been a bit of a challenge and it has been hard to watch the boys, particularly the Richmond game from a couple of weeks ago was tough.

One thing he has been happy to see during his time on the sidelines is the improvement of the backline and in particular, teammate Ben Stratton.

In the two months Birchall hasn’t played, Stratton has filled the role vacated by the half back and has been impressed by his ability to combine his defensive game and attacking flair.

“They’ve been fantastic, particularly ‘Stratts’, he’s had a terrific year and his balance between offence and defence has been a real highlight,” he said.

“The guys have been able to cover a few of us injured guys pretty well and full credit to them.”

Now though, he’s ready to get stuck into the final three games of the home and away season and the upcoming finals series.

“I’m looking forward to getting back out there this week and playing my role for the side,” he said.