Two broken necks threatened to end Pat McCabe's career, but ACT Brumbies head coach Stephen Larkham believes the centre will come back a much more dangerous player after scans cleared him to return to contact training in the new year.

Larkham was ''very, very happy'' with the news that McCabe can start contact training when the Brumbies return from their Christmas break on January 6. If all goes well, he'll be available for the Brumbies' preseason trial games and then the Super Rugby season opener against the Queensland Reds on February 22.

Cleared for contact: Pat McCabe. Credit:Jeffrey Chan

Larkham said the medical staff would continue to monitor McCabe during his return from two serious injuries.

''Patty's scan came back positively; I don't have the exact details, but it's positive news,'' he said. ''We start his contact work from January with an eye on potentially playing that first game. I guess it's going to be an ongoing thing, but we've got clearance from the doctor to start contact. I'd say it's something we're always going to be conscious of.''