BROWNLOW medallist Tom Mitchell provided a boost to the Hawthorn playing group on Wednesday, returning to the track for the first time since breaking his leg earlier this month.

But star recruit Chad Wingard wasn't among the Hawks taking part in the solid two-hour hitout in the heat after calf tightness forced him to watch from the sidelines.

Mitchell completed light stretches for his bandaged left leg and watched from the boundary line as teammates sweated it out for more than two hours at Waverley Park.

After undergoing surgery just 19 days ago, Mitchell has started walking without the aid of crutches after a cast was taken removed from his leg.

"It's good to be back and be amongst training and be back with the boys," Mitchell said.

"Been away the last two weeks, but now off the crutches and out of the boot and feeling pretty good.

"It's still quite early, the incident was only two and a half weeks ago now. (I'm) still waiting for swelling to get out of my leg and just doing little things like walking, putting weight through my leg again."

Mitchell's initial rehabilitation will include cycling and swimming before he plans to work alongside assistant Sam Mitchell in a midfield coaching role.

Tom Mitchell’s first day back on the track @HawthornFC - 19 days after breaking his leg. Going to have to get used to the Waverley Park stairs during his rehab.



Training details on @AFLcomau shortly pic.twitter.com/KyKR0SX7AI — Mitch Cleary (@cleary_mitch) January 30, 2019

Mitchell's initial rehabilitation will include cycling and swimming before he plans to work alongside assistant Sam Mitchell in a midfield coaching role.

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"There's still plenty of opportunities to have a positive impact on the group," Mitchell said.

"I can't obviously get out on the park and play, but I still think I can have an impact on the playing group and help improve players in the midfield and keep a close eye on them.

"I'm definitely going to try and get involved, whether that be through coaching or helping some of the younger players and just contributing where I can off the field."

"Recovery-wise, I can do things in the pool, on the bike and that's what I'll be doing early days and hopefully keep progressing towards running in the near future."