It’s been an incredibly tough year for Leigh Adams, but the courageous small forward is eyeing a return to football according to Director of Football Geoff Walsh.

The 27-year-old has received a number of severe head knocks in recent times, the latest in a Werribee pre-season practice match against Footscray prompting fears for his long-term health.

PRESS PLAY above to listen to Walsh's full interview with SEN

After an ‘ultra conservative’ approach which has involved numerous visits to a neurologist, Walsh revealed Adams has stepped up his training in a bid to return to the field.

“He’s of the mindset that that he’s now sort of ready to get back on the horse so we’ll gradually step up his training and try and get some of that lost match conditioning and just keep, I suppose, in dialogue with him that he’s still really positive about going on,” Walsh told SEN radio.

“Pleasingly, in the last four to five weeks particularly, he’s started to train really well. He’s feeling really well that’s the main thing.”

Despite persistent talk about his future, Walsh said retirement was never discussed directly but acknowledged Adams may have considered it.

“It is something that would be in the back of your mind.

“We haven’t had specifically a discussion about retirment but certainly the long term welfare aspect is always upper most in ours and Leigh’s mind as well.”

Walsh said Adams and his family have been in constant contact with the club’s medical team and support staff.

“Certainly our doctors and our welfare people have been in discussions with Patch and his wife about his welfare so it’s more about, ‘okay let’s make sure that we get you to a stage where you’re clear headed and feeling well and physically and mentally in a state where you can make some calls about where you go.’

Adams’ last game for North was in Round 23, 2014 against Melbourne.