KEY POINTS:
SYDNEY - South Sydney forward David Kidwell will have to wait a little longer before knowing if he will make a miraculous comeback and play again in 2007.
Kidwell tore his anterior cruciate knee ligament after falling in his family home in April this year and was expected to miss the entire National Rugby League season following a knee reconstruction.
A golden staph infection also hindered his recovery but the recent rapid improvement in his knee fuelled hopes he could help the Rabbitohs over the final weeks of the regular season chase their 18-year finals dream.
Kidwell met orthopedic surgeon Merv Cross and Rabbitohs director of athletic performance Errol Alcott on Thursday but was told he would have to wait another couple of weeks before a decision on his return could be made.
"The doctor is happy with where I'm at and he said I'm ahead of schedule," Kidwell said.
"He's happy with my progress but he said he wants to reassess me in a couple of weeks time.
"It's a little bit frustrating to be sitting on the sidelines but hopefully the boys can keep winning and I might be a chance of joining them in the finals."
Kidwell's remarkable recovery is likely to allow him to join New Zealand on the Kiwis' tour later this year, but he is only focused on helping the Bunnies.
"I'm only thinking about Souths at the moment," he said.
"There's three weeks left in the season and then hopefully semis.
"It's great to see the boys going so good and I want to be part of it on the field.
"I'm not sure about the Kiwi tour. I guess I have to play first to show them that I can play for the Kiwis at the end of the year, but Souths is my priority.
"I just need to keep working really hard and make sure I'm fit for when I can come back."
Alcott said Kidwell would be reassessed in two weeks, but praised the 30-year-old second-rower for his commitment to recovery.
"David's been doing everything right and I have to commend him on the work he has been putting in," Alcott said.
"We'll keep working with him and eventually we'll begin to increase his game-specific activities, but he'll be reassessed in two weeks and we'll establish a plan from there."
- AAP
