The versatile Aussie - equally at home at full-back or in midfield - had been sidelined since rupturing his cruciate right knee ligaments during Rovers' Premier League clash with Middlesbrough back in January.

But after being put through his paces on Blackburn's training ground, Emerton, 30, admits he is closing in on his target of being fit for the new season and eventually forcing his way back into the Australia squad ahead of 2010 World Cup finals.

"I'm at the stage now where I've had my first full hit-out; I had a bit of a sprint today," Emerton told The Sun-Herald from his home in Lancashire. "It gave me an idea of where I'm at. Touch wood it continues the way it has.

"I've been running quite some time now, and twisting and turning out on the park so things have progressed well. It has taken a lot of hard work, but I'm at the stage now where I am starting to get more involved [at training]."

Blackburn physio Phil Coles added: "Brett was unbelievable.

"He worked twice a day every day on the injury - not too many people do that - so it says a lot about his persistence. He was diligent to the point that when he went to the Central Coast with his family for a break, he took Phil along so they could work together."