FREMANTLE star Michael Walters has returned to pre-season training early as he works back to full fitness following a knee injury at the end of last season.

Walters missed the final five rounds of 2017 after tearing the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, avoiding surgery but requiring a rehabilitation period of six to eight weeks.

The 26-year-old has started his summer preparations on a modified running program, but said he was confident his knee would be fully recovered soon.   

"The knee’s really good," Walters said on the club's website.

"I’ve been doing my running and getting my weights and strength up, so it’s coming along quite well. 

"The fitness staff and the coaches, the amount of work they put into the off-season program keeps you in good stead to come back fit and ready to go."

Walters was the Dockers' leading goalkicker and in All Australian contention when he went down with injury in round 18, lifting his disposal (19.2) and clearance (2.7) averages to career highs.

The creative playmaker was successfully used in the midfield for long periods and said he hoped to combine with Nat Fyfe in the engine room next season. 

"If I was to play midfield, I’d love Fyfe being in there too," Walters said, with speculation Fyfe could be sent forward for longer periods in 2018.

"He’s got that bigger body and is someone who knows so much about football and so much about that role in terms of our structures.

"He always gets the harder defensive mid playing on him, too, but if he does go forward he’s going to cause some real damage which is also good for us as a team."