Isaac Heeney has taken a positive step in his recovery from a persistent knee issue.

Heeney was limited to strictly running pre-Christmas due to an ongoing problem with patella tendonitis which last year’s Rising Star developed before landing on the Swans’ list in the 2014 National Draft.

The concern has continued to plague his second pre-season with the 19-year-old sometimes cutting a lonely figure running laps around Lakeside Oval while majority of the squad enjoy breaking up fitness work with skill-based drills.

All that was behind him, however, when the Swans resumed pre-season training on Monday.

Heeney took part in a numerous kicking drills at UNSW’s David Phillips Oval much to the delight of the promising youngster.

“It’s pretty exciting – I’ve never liked just running and following that (boundary) line,” he said.

“I’m gradually getting back into skill work and pretty excited to soon be back into full training.

“(The injury) is nothing serious, I just need to make sure I get on top of it now as it can impact careers.”

Heeney has had to overcome a luckless run of injuries during his first season of AFL football.

In Round 6 against Melbourne, after playing the first four games of 2015, the lively forward ruptured his posterior cruciate ligament in a marking contest which ruled him out for nearly three months.

Post-season, Heeney was involved in an altercation during an overseas holiday which left him needing surgery to repair a fractured jaw.

With the latest concern now managed and “pain eased”, Heeney is focusing on tackling the second half of pre-season with vigour in an effort to be available for February’s NAB Challenge.

“I’m really keen to get back into it. I can’t wait to get back into the skills and then the games when they come,” he added.