Sydney Swans co-captain Josh Kennedy will begin to increase his training load this week, as he makes positive progress in his recovery from a knee injury.

Kennedy ruptured the medial ligament in his knee in the Round 6 match against Richmond at the Gabba.

Executive GM of Football Charlie Gardiner said the 32-year-old is building towards a return to play.

“Josh is travelling well,” Gardiner said.

“He is four weeks post injury this week and is already starting to do some solid running and conditioning work.

“We are hopeful that he will commence some skills training the week after next, and hopefully build from there.

“Hopefully he is not too far away.”

Defender Kaiden Brand is also increasing his training after being on the sidelines for seven weeks with a groin injury.

Gardiner said he is hopeful Brand will return within the next month.

“Kaiden is starting to get some continuity in his training,” Gardiner said.

“He is doing some fitness running, which he will build over the course of next week, and then hopefully resume skills training the following week.

“Given the amount of time he has missed he will probably need a couple of weeks of skills training before he is ready to play.”

Star forward Lance Franklin is continuing to increase his training load as he recovers from a hamstring injury suffered earlier this year. 

“It was a significant injury so Lance is still progressing through his training,” Gardiner said.

“He has been completing some light skills but still has a way to go.

“We are not putting a definitive timeline on his return at this stage, all will depend on how his training progresses in the next three weeks.”