BY HIS own admission, Tom Curren is already getting “a little toey” about the prospect of returning for a tilt at a VFL flag with Sandringham.

The 23-year-old on-baller broke his ankle playing VFL in late June and it was initially feared he would miss the remainder of the 2015 season.

Although this is partly true, due to the fact St Kilda will not play finals this year, he is considered a realistic chance to return in as little as three weeks, should the Zebras make the preliminary final.

Open training: Domain Stadium, Friday

“I want to be back as soon as I possibly can. At the moment it is preliminary final week,” Curren told SAINTS.com.au this week.

“For another week after the AFL finishes I’ll be still training by myself. Once I get that week out of the way, I think I’ll be able to join the boys at VFL training and do what they do. I can see the light.”

Sandringham will take on Williamstown this Sunday in a qualifying final at Trevor Barker Beach Oval. The winner will progress straight to a preliminary final, while the loser will face the winner of Collingwood and Werribee the following weekend in a semi-final.

The Zebras have won 11of their last 12 games and will head into Sunday’s match as favourites, although Williamstown did defeat Paul Hudson’s men by 10 goals back in round two.

Buy tickets to the 2015 Trevor Barker Award night. Details HERE.

For Curren, the motivation is simple – to play in a VFL premiership.

“A flag would be unbelievable,” he said.

“Finals footy and playing in Grand Finals don’t come around very often, no matter what level of footy you are playing. I’d jump at the opportunity, particularly where I’ve been the last two months. I think I’ve timed it pretty well if all goes to plan. I’m not lacking motivation, that’s for sure.”

While the fracture itself has healed, Curren, who has played 25 games for St Kilda since debuting in 2013, is in the process of strengthening the various muscles and tendons around the initial break.

“There have been no dramas at all with whether the fracture actually was and it’s feeling great,” he said.

“I have a lot of confidence in it now and have been changing direction, accelerating and decelerating really well.

“It’s a slow build and you can’t get thrown in the deep end and expect to set the world on fire. It’s coming along nicely.”

UPDATED: Round 23 injury list

The midfielder has spent hours swimming and on a stationary bike over the past three months, and while he acknowledged that the cross training aspect of his rehab is an important part of the recovery process, he is happy to be back kicking and running around with his teammates.

“The running loads are ramping up. They are becoming more game-like with shorter sharper stuff like 150s and 200s,” he said.

“This in turn means the bike sessions are going down along with all of the cross-training. This says to me that I’m getting a bit closer which is great.”

Sandringham’s qualifying final against Williamstown begins at  2pm this Sunday at Trevor Barker Beach Oval. 

Curren and injured rookie Brenton Payne at last weekend's VFL game. (Photo: Dave Savell)

Saturday September 5
North Port Oval – Elimination Final
12:10pm: Collingwood v Werribee

Box Hill City Oval - Qualifying Final
2pm: Box Hill Hawks v Footscray

Sunday September 6
North Port Oval - Elimination Final
11:40am Essendon v Casey Scorpions

Trevor Barker Beach Oval – Qualifying Final
2pm: Sandringham v Williamstown