Spirited Richmond small forward Jake King has his sights firmly set on a return to the playing field in the next couple of weeks.

King, who has been sidelined with injury since the Tigers’ Round 3 loss to the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium, knows a comeback this season is crucial to his chances of extending his AFL career into 2015, which is something he is keen to do.

“We’ve sat down and had a chat, and reality is I’ve missed way too much footy this year.  I’m not happy with that and, obviously, neither is ‘Dimma’ (Damien Hardwick) and the boys,” King told ‘Roar Vision’.

“The goal is to get up and running as quick as we can, get back out on the track, and try and get whatever fitness I can through match play.

“Hopefully, we can get a few games together before the season’s out.”

The 30-year-old veteran of 107 league games with Richmond, outlined the injury problems that had plagued him throughout the 2014 season.

“I had a little procedure . . . the nerve endings were burnt off in the toe to try and help manage the pain a little bit,” he said.

“Then, by doing that, what happened was it changes the gait of your running style.  When I was back into the running, and doing my strides, I ended up twanging a calf just a little bit, which has set me back probably three or four weeks.  But, hopefully, two more weeks and I should be right to go . . .

“First and foremost, getting back this year is the No. 1 goal.  Then, it’ll be just looking after the body, and making sure it actually functions properly.

“I have to make sure my form’s there, and get that up and prove to everyone that I’ve still got it.

“Everyone knows I still want it, but, you know, just make sure that I’m still capable of playing it and doing all the things.

“Fingers crossed, hopefully, I’d love to be there next year.

“I see all the boys and the ‘Tiges’ going to bigger and better places and I’d love to be a part of it.  So, we’ll see how we go.”