Brain, who is recovering from knee surgery, is facing a race against time to prove his fitness just over a month from the finals.

The Roos’ recruit, who hasn’t played since round 2, will return to training next week and has his eye on a late season comeback.

“That’s the plan,” Brain said.

“The physio reckons I’m every chance of getting back.

“It’s taking a bit longer than what we thought, but I’m pretty confident.”

Brain, who joined the Roos from Rochester over the summer, said he wanted to get at least a couple of home and away games under his belt before the finals.

“I think we’ve got North Albury a couple of weeks before the finals, so that would be ideal,” he said.

“I’d obviously need a few blowouts first to see how I pull up.”

The Roos are yet to field its best team this season, despite shooting back into the finals for the first time in five years.

Hayden Singe, Sean Kelly and coach Bryce Campbell are all sidelined with hamstring strains.

The Roos host Myrtleford at John Foord Oval today.