Richmond forward Ben Lennon says he was fortunate to get on top of his recent bout of glandular fever early and prevent any longer term detriment to his training.

Speaking on Sportsday Radio on Tuesday evening, Lennon said swift diagnosis from the club’s medial department played a big part in him being back on the track in the early weeks of the new year.

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“(The fever) sort of popped up suddenly,” he said.

“I was two or three weeks into November’s training and I didn’t feel right and I told the Doc and they were quick to act on it.

“I’ve been pretty lucky in that sense, I didn’t miss too much (training); I know a few guys missed three or four months, so I was pretty lucky to get away unscathed after three or four weeks.”

Lennon played in the final eight home and away games of last season, before missing selection in the elimination final.

Despite the disappointment of watching the season come to an end from the sidelines, the 20-year-old is tackling his return to full training with the right approach of improving.

Summer twilight training session and free kids’ clinic set for Cardinia Shire

“I got a lot of confidence from those eight games that I played towards the end of the year and I’m just hoping that I can really play well from the start and play a lot of games this year and hopefully change games as well,” Lennon said.

“I’m into my third year now so there’s no reason why I shouldn’t be able to kick a few more goals and start playing the role I think is expected of me.”