RICHMOND forward Kayne Pettifer is set to return to the field this weekend, nine months after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in the VFL.

Pettifer was injured in round 16 last year while playing for Coburg and will most likely return to that club’s reserves side as a defender this week.

Since being taken at No. 9 in the 2000 NAB AFL Draft, Pettifer has played 109 games for the Tigers.

But 2008 was not a happy year for him.

He was suspended then being dropped to the VFL before doing his knee.

However, after diligently completing his rehabilitation program, he is ready to run out this weekend.

Richmond football manager Ross Monaghan said Pettifer was raring to go.

"He'll most likely play in the seconds – that hasn't been settled but I think he'll most likely play half a game in the twos," he said.

Monaghan said the 27-year-old was simply getting out there to dip his toe back in the water.

"With a guy coming back from those sorts of injuries, you've got no expectations really. All you want is for them to get through some games and get some match practice really.

"It's the natural extension from the training they've been doing.

"So as long as he gets through half a game, recovers well, maybe plays three quarters the following week and builds it up to a full game, then you start to get some expectations of where things are.

"The early days are all just about a reintroduction to playing again, and getting some touch."

Pettifer is likely to play in the backline in order to reduce the strain on the joint.

"The normal thing with an injury like that is that you want them running in straight lines as much as you can, so you generally get them to start in defence.

"He'll probably play across half-back so he can run straight at it."