GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Anthony Mantha, the Detroit Red Wings prized prospect who has been sidelined two months, is looking forward to his debut with the Grand Rapids Griffins on Friday.

“I think I’ll get a good night’s sleep,” he said Wednesday, Nov. 12. “It’s just one game. For sure it’s a comeback and my first pro game, but I should manage it pretty good.”

The forward, who suffered a fractured right tibia during a prospects game in Traverse City on Sept. 12, is expected to play when the Griffins host Texas on Friday and Saturday.

“I’m not putting myself through too much pressure,” Mantha said. “Everyone knows I suffered through an injury. To be honest, I don’t know how the game is going to go. I don’t know if I’ll play five minutes, 10 minutes, 25 minutes. I really don’t know. So I’m just preparing myself to bring my best game.”

He originally was expected out six to eight weeks. Monday marked eight weeks.

“We’ve had very positive reports from the (Grand Rapids) coaching staff,” said Detroit assistant general manager Ryan Martin. “Jeff (Blashill) said he has gone through everything and gone through it very well.”

Mantha has worn a green jersey and not allowed contact.

The 6-foot-5, 217-pounder was the CHL's player of the year in 2013-14 after scoring 57 goals and putting up 120 points in 57 games and then adding 24 goals and 38 points in 24 playoff games for the Val d'Or Foruers of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Mantha, who has been practicing with the Griffins for about two weeks. will become the second-highest Detroit pick to play in Grand Rapids. He was the 20th overall selection in 2013; Jakub Kindl was 19th overall in 2005.

Martin said expectations should be tempered given the amount of time Mantha has been sidelined.

“We’ll be monitoring him, but he hasn’t played hockey in two months, so back to back might be a little bit of a challenge,” Martin said. “So people need to keep it in perspective and see how it goes.

“He can practice all he wants, but until he gets into a game, and gets hit, and plays a game. Who knows what his timing will be like? He hasn’t played in basically two months.”