Promising key defender Alex Pearce is targeting a return next month in a significant boost for Fremantle.

The 22-year-old, widely rated as the club’s long-term centre-half-back, is closing in on a training comeback after several setbacks with his broken leg.

Pearce has not played since snapping the tibia in his right leg in a marking contest in round nine last year.

He re-broke the same leg at pre-season training in January and has experienced two infections around where the metal plate was removed, fuelling fears he would miss the entire 2017 season.

But the 200cm key-position player now appears to be approaching the end of a torturous recovery period, with a return to training planned within the next fortnight.

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Camera Icon Pearce has played 21 games for the Dockers since being drafted from Tasmania. Credit: AFL Media

The West Australian understands Pearce is on track to start playing again in the WAFL in four to six weeks.

He has spent recent weeks building his fitness base running on the club’s AlterG anti-gravity treadmill.

The availability of Pearce and Harley Bennell, who is as little as a fortnight away from a WAFL return with Peel Thunder, in the latter part of the season would be a major plus for Fremantle if they remain in finals contention.