Hawks coach Rob Beveridge is hopeful of having vice captain Mitch Norton back at his disposal for the club’s must-win clash with Cairns Taipans next weekend.
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Norton has been out since breaking his thumb in the first half of his side's 91-73 loss to United on December 4.
The 24-year-old point guard required immediate surgery to fix the fracture and has been forced to wear a hand brace until late last week when he received approval from specialists to return to the court.
“The surgeon has cleared him to start training,” Beveridge said.
“The bone is healed so he will be back to full training.
“He still has to see the handle specialist or physiotherapist. He still has a lot of weakness in it, obviously being out for six weeks in a brace.
“Fingers crossed he will be able to get through the week and he will have enough confidence to suit up next week.”
Norton’s return comes at a crucial time for the Hawks (9-12), who must win almost all of their remaining matches to have any chance of making the finals.
He has been forced to watch on as Illawarra playoff hopes have begun to slip away.
The last time he faced such an extended period in the injury ward was during his maiden season in the league with former club Townsville Crocodiles back in 2011 when he broke a metatarsal in his foot.
This is one of the longest periods the guard has been sidelined since then. He has already missed nine NBL matches.
“It’s probably the longest that I haven’t played basketball in a very long time,” Norton said.
“It’s been tough mentally but at the same time I have learned a lot sitting down and watching the last few games.
“I think when I come back and am able to contribute on court [I will be able to use] what I have learnt sitting here and watching.
“I feel like I get more nervous sitting there watching than when I step out on court.
“It’s been good. You get to see a lot of things.”
Norton has spent the past month on the sidelines with a clipboard in hand alongside the Hawks coaching staff.
It’s given the Boomers representative a better appreciation for life on the other side.
“It is a real roller-coaster and I think I have found a new respect for coaches that’s for sure,” he said.
“There are definitely highs and lows.
“It might be something I would look into [doing after my career] but it is very stressful.
“Right now I just want to focus on getting back out there and that can be a future Mitch problem.”
