GEELONG rookie Cameron Delaney's long battle with a toe injury has finally taken a positive turn after the 22-year-old resumed running last week.

Although he remains 10 weeks away from joining full training, the Cats are pleased Delaney appears to be responding well to a change in environment.

The former North Melbourne defender played just six games with the Kangaroos after making his debut in round two, 2012 and has not played senior football since round 18, 2013.

The past two seasons were virtually wiped out with toe problems that required several bouts of surgery.

North Melbourne delisted him at the end of 2014 with the intention of placing him on the club's rookie list.

However Geelong jumped in one pick ahead of North Melbourne to secure the 195cm defender at pick No. 32.

Cats' football manager Steve Hocking told AFL.com.au that the club was pleased Delaney was heading in the right direction but everyone was aware he remained in the early stages of recovery.

Delaney's running consists of light strides at the moment but he is expected to gradually step up his running.

"Hopefully it progresses the right way, whereby at the end of an 8-10-week block of training he is back into the full group," Hocking said.

Delaney reportedly travelled to Brisbane with club physiotherapist Peter Stanton recently to have the toe assessed.

Hocking also said the Cats were hopeful Josh Cowan would be available for selection for the club's next NAB Challenge game after battling hamstring issues.