Stephen Coniglio has joined in the bulk of the GIANTS’ main training session for the first time since injuring his ankle as he looks to return to playing in the next month.

The GIANTS captain stepped up his training on Thursday as he continues to recover from a serious syndesmosis injury sustained in round three and later complications with a big toe.

Coniglio moved well throughout the session and showed no signs of discomfort as he took part in a high-intensity and physical warm up that focused on repeated attempts to lay or break a tackle.

He later joined the full squad for a competitive match simulation hitout, wearing a white guernsey as part of the VFL team.

Coniglio was initially expected to miss “around eight weeks” with the ankle injury but has already been sidelined for 10 weeks. 

The GIANTS said earlier this week that the midfielder is still another 3-4 weeks away from playing again.

“You want to come back as quick as possible but… particularly with the foot I don't want to rush it, that's for sure,” Coniglio said a month ago on the day that he started running again.

Toby Greene and Josh Kelly have stood in as captain in Coniglio’s absence, as the GIANTS turned around a 0-3 start to the season to now sit at five wins and a draw from 12 matches.