Harry Wilson is on track for a return to the field when Super Rugby - or whatever incarnation - resumes.
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The boom Queensland backrower is well on the road to recovery from the medial ligament injury he sustained in the Reds' last outing.
Speaking on the Reds Radio podcast this week the former Gunnedah native said the injury is progressing well.
"It's actually been going really good so I think I'd be available next week at the moment," Wilson said.
"I'm back running and doing change of direction and everything."
"It feels pretty good, so pretty stoked with it at the moment."
His first serious injury, Wilson admitted a lot of emotions did go through his mind at the time.
"Obviously you don't know how bad it is at that time," he said.
"I thought we were starting to play some good footy. It scared me that I could be missing the rest of the season or at least a large chunk of it."
As it is, the injury has turned out to be a bit of a blessing in disguise - keeping him well-occupied during the coronavirus-enforced suspension.
"Obviously it's made me not miss any matches but it's also kept me pretty focused in isolation to work getting my knee right so when footy comes back at least I'll be back by then," he said.
"So it's kept me in good mind at least."
In a wide-ranging interview, Wilson spoke about the step up to Super Rugby, signing through to 2023 with the Reds - something he said he hesitate too much about, his cricketting prowess (one of his fondest memories of his school days is belting the fastest century in the GPS competition - 100 off 35 balls), the shed cricketting battles among the Reds and his Wallabies ambitions.
"Definitely one of my motivations in footy is wanting to represent my country, just like representing Queensland. Hopefully somewhere down the track I'll be able to pull on the gold jersey," he said.
That may not be too far down the track with The Sydney Morning Herald reporting that Wilson is among several new faces included in an unofficial "players of national interest squad".
Put together by new head coach Dave Rennie and his assistants, the squad comprises players they are monitoring and believe could be part of their plans this year.
Inverell's Jock Campbell is also rumoured to be part of the squad.
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In the podcast, Wilson also spoke about the influence former Reds backrower Scott Higginbottom had had on him.
Someone he admired since he was about 14, Wilson relished having the opportunity to train alongside and learn off him last year.
"I was always in his ear," Wilson said.
"He was really good about it too, he'd try and help me with everything,"
"Not as much technical stuff, it was just more confidence stuff."
"He's obviously always just played in front, he hasn't been afraid to do what he reckons is right and just good little advice like that just go out there and back yourself and if you believe it will work, it should work."
"I guess that's something I've been using in my footy ever since."
The two are still in contact.
"He's been really good. He's messaged me a fair bit throughout the season just saying you're going really well and just keep it up," Wilson said.
"Hearing from him is pretty awesome. When I made my debut he sent me a massive nice message."
