JACKSON Thurlow will make his return to competitive action when he lines up in Geelong's VFL practice match against Footscray at Simonds Stadium on Saturday morning.

The 21-year-old has been on the comeback trail since suffering a lacerated kidney in a training accident in December.

Thurlow spent six days in hospital following the incident, although he did not need surgery.

Since returning to training in January he has slowly built up his workload, and he is now ready to play his first game for the year.

"I don’t know if it will be a full game," Thurlow told CatsTV. "I think maybe a half or three quarters and then some running after it.

"I'm definitely back to full health. It’s blowing a few cobwebs out when I've been running that’s been the issue.

"But I'm starting to get some fitness back and some strength back as well."

Watch the full CatsTV interview with Jackson Thurlow by clicking on the video at the top of the page.