Glenn braced for return to help Broncos avoid spoon

Broncos captain Alex Glenn has thrown away his knee brace and is targeting a comeback from knee injury against the Roosters next Friday.

In some much-needed good news for Brisbane, the 32-year-old back-rower ran freely at a rehab session on Monday and now just needs a strong showing over the next week on the training paddock to give himself a shot of making the trip to Sydney in round 16.

Glenn has not played since he suffered an MCL injury in the 26-8 win over the Bulldogs in round nine.

With Tevita Pangai jnr suspended indefinitely for breaching NRL biosecurity rules, Payne Haas banned for two weeks, Matt Lodge out for the season with a fractured tibia and Thomas Flegler facing shoulder surgery and a lengthy spell on the sidelines, Glenn's return can't come quickly enough.

"I’m pretty stoked. I got the brace off last Monday and last week I did some straight-line running but today I was able to do some swerves and change of direction,” Glenn told NRL.com on Monday night.

"It was just good to be back on the pitch and running again. It is six weeks [since his injury] on Friday and if I have a good week this week then I am hoping to play against the Roosters."

Glenn missed the first two rounds with a hamstring injury and suffered a leg laceration against the Eels in round three, putting him out a further two weeks.

In the previous 11 seasons, the 264-game veteran had not played less than 20 games in a year.

"This year has easily been one of the most challenging for me personally and for the club,” he said.

"I have only missed four games max a year in any season during my career but this year I have only played five games, so it is something I am not used to.

"Sitting on the sidelines trying to help the boys throughout the week has been challenging."

The 15th-placed Broncos will miss the finals for the first time since 2014 and with Canterbury two points behind, they are in danger of collecting the wooden spoon for the first time in the club's 32-year history.

"I think every club has been through it, bar us," Glenn said.

"We missed out on the finals [in 2014] and it was something we weren’t used to but where we are sitting at the moment, we have never been in this position this late in the competition.

"It is very frustrating and there are a lot of people asking why but it is part of footy and part of learning.

"I know that we are going to bounce back and it is important we finish the season strong even though we aren’t in a position where we can play finals."

Brisbane have given young forwards Ethan Bullemor and Jordan Riki debuts this year and halfback Tom Dearden has asserted himself as one of the side’s best despite recent losses.

"When people get their foot in the door it is good for the club and giving these boys a taste of what NRL is about will drive that desire to be in the 17 in the future," Glenn said.

"Tom Dearden has stepped up the last couple of weeks with the seven on his back, and for a young fella he’s got a great footy head to lead the boys around and is so mature for his age."

Glenn has the utmost respect for the way Pat Carrigan has taken on the leadership role at a young age.

"Patty has taken the weight of the captaincy on his shoulders and is constantly trying his hardest for the boys and giving everything he can," Glenn said.

"He has done a fantastic job and I just want to get out there and help him."