Essendon say they expect Conor McKenna to return to Australia next week - and be ready for the start of the new AFL season.
The Tyrone man came home to Ireland earlier this month due to "homesickness and family-related reasons" and it was unclear whether he would go back to the club.
23-year-old McKenna has made 73 appearances and scored 19 goals since making make the move down under as a teenager ahead of the 2015 season.
Bombers assistant coach Mark Harvey has told the Brisbane Times that they've been in "constant contact" with the player and that it's "looking promising" that he'll be back soon.
"We've been in constant contact, the club, with Conor over the period of time that he's been away, hope he's enjoying himself and relaxing.
"We'd like to think that he comes back pretty soon and hopefully we can have him available for selection too. It's looking promising and our support staff have done an enormous job with this.
"He's done the majority of pre-season training and he's still training over there. Conor is a guy that comes up really quick ... so I would say that Conor, pending when he does come back, that he'll be available for round one."
