INSPIRATIONAL Roosters backrower Boyd Cordner has revealed he is on target to make a shock return the week before the grand final.

After suffering the dreaded high-ankle sprain syndesmosis in the round 22 clash against Canberra, Cordner was initially expected to be next to no chance of playing again this season.

But an upbeat Cordner told The Daily Telegraph on Sunday that he started walking unassisted on Saturday - and could be running by the end of next week.

“I’m off the crutches and I’m out of the boot and I am walking normally,” Cordner said.

“I got off the crutches last Wednesday and out of the boot (on Saturday).

“I am going to try to get two weeks of running going into that semi-final.”

It’s an amazing fightback from the tough 21-year-old given the injury usually requires a 10-week recovery.

“I went to see the surgeon last Wednesday and he said it was looking unreal,” Cordner said.

“He said it was one of the best recoveries that he has seen.

“It’s been three and a half weeks post-op. I am still doing physio but everything is on track for me to get back the semi-final before the GF.

“I was heartbroken when it happened. It really was shattering.

“At that time I was starting to play my best footy and feel comfortable in the team and to have that setback wasn’t ideal.”

After debuting for NSW in the State of Origin decider, Cordner was not only on track to play in his first NRL finals series but was considered a realistic chance of winning a spot in the Australian squad for the end-of-season World Cup.

He said he wouldn’t even enter the thought of that Kangaroo dream coming true - all he wants to do is get on the field and help his mates.

“I am just doing every possible thing to get my ankle right because I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if we ended up making it to the grand final and I could have played but I didn’t do the work to give myself the chance.

“That is why I am aiming to be back if the team gets there.”

Cordner said he has been working around the clock with the Roosters medical staff to give himself every possible chance.

He said securing the minor premiership in front of a record crowd at ANZ Stadium on Friday night was a wonderful achievement for the Roosters but was painful to watch from his seat in the stands.

“Watching the boys play was such a great thing but it was harder than any game I have had to watch," he said.

“It just drives me even harder to get out there and play.

“They are such a good team and we have such a great coach.

“(Trent Robinson) has been unreal to me this year and I would love to repay the faith he has shown in me.

“I was always confident I could play a part of the finals series so hopefully if the boys can make it to the semi-final before the GF I want to be a part of that for sure.

“I wouldn’t want to miss it, that’s why you play the game. If I’m any chance I’ll be playing.”