DARIUS Boyd could make a shock return a month ahead of schedule after being cleared by Broncos doctors to face the Panthers this Friday night at Suncorp Stadium.

The final call now rests with Boyd and coach Wayne Bennett and whether the pair believe he is mentally ready to take on the Panthers.

The 27-year-old trained strongly again today at Red Hill and Broncos conditioner Jeremy Hickmans was confident Boyd’s rebuilt achilles could withstand an NRL comeback against Penrith this week.

The imminent return of Boyd is a huge boost not only for the Broncos but the Maroons, who will name their side for Origin I in two weeks.

WILL HE WON’T HE? Boyd a chance to return this weekend

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media_camera Darius Boyd at Broncos training

“He can certainly play this week if that’s what Darius wants to do,” Hickmans said after Brisbane’s training session today.

“We are at the stage now where he has to make the decision between him and Wayne.

“He is ready to go, medically we are thinking he’s right, but it’s when Darius and Wayne feel he’s ready to go.

“He needs to feel he can be confident out there. We always felt round 11 would be his comeback against Newcastle, but it’s up to him.

“Physically, we believe he can get through it, it’s now up to Darius and whether mentally he feels he is good to go.”

Broncos teammate Matt Gillett watched Boyd from close quarters today and was impressed with the fullback’s speed and sharpness.

“He is looking good,” Gillett said. “He has been training hard and doing all the little things off the field.

He is ready to go, medically we are thinking he’s right, but it’s when Darius and Wayne feel he’s ready to go.

Jeremy Hickmans

“We will see how he pulls up from training this week but I’d love to be playing with him soon.

“It feels like a quick recovery, seeing him out there, he’s at full pace so hopefully he is back soon.”

Boyd was initially expected to return in June, but his rehabilitation has been drama-free, giving Broncos medicos confidence the club’s big-name recruit is ready to resume his career.

Boyd told The Courier-Mail on Sunday he would not let the Maroons down if chosen for Origin I and Hickmans is pleased with the backline ace’s progress.

“He is a pretty good healer,” he said.

“He does everything right outside training, the rehab is at the good end of the scale.

“We felt five months’ recovery was a good result and this week is five months.

“We haven’t really had any setbacks, Darius has had a good recovery.”