Joe Daniher has only just started running in long path back to health for Essendon

Essendon fans hoping to see Joe Daniher at his high-flying best could be forced to wait until at least the second half of the season, with the club providing an update after his return from visiting a groin specialist in Ireland.

Joe Daniher, pictured in training last year, is still recovering from a long-term groin injury. Picture: Getty Images

Essendon’s football manager Dan Richardson says Joe Daniher has only just begun running without pain “in the last three or four days”.

While the club has not set a timeline, Richardson conceded it was possible fans may not see the star goalkicker on the field in the first half of the season.

Watch every match of the Marsh Community Series AFL pre-season comp LIVE & On-Demand on KAYO. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

Joe Daniher, pictured in training last year, is still recovering from a long-term groin injury. Picture: Getty Images

Richardson said that after a trip to Ireland to visit a groin specialist, Daniher was “progressing well” in his recovery from the recurring injury that has limited him to just 11 games in the past two seasons.

“Given it’s been a couple of years, it’s a hard one to really gauge how quickly he will progress back into full training,” Richardson said on SEN Breakfast.

“He has already been doing a little more than jogging, he is sort of stepping up to striding.

“So as long as he continues to be pain free, as long as he can continue to progress.

MORE ON DANIHER:

Essendon star Joe Daniher to visit injury specialist in Dublin

“Obviously, he is a terrific athlete when he is up and going.

“So look, he may progress pretty quickly, we’re not going to put any time on it because it’s just fruitless to do so.

“What we want to do is when he does come back that his body is resilient enough and strong enough to withstand the rigours of the game.

“But we’re confident he is progressing in the right direction.”

When fit, Daniher is one of the best big forwards in the game. Picture: Getty Images

MORE DONS’ LEADERSHIP GROUP NEWS

Essendon star Zach Merrett a casualty of leadership mess

Zach Merrett disappointed at being ousted from Essendon’s leadership group

Daniher had attempted to flee the Bombers in a trade to Sydney, but the two sides could not come to terms and he was forced to stay at Tullamarine to continue his rehab.

Still just 25, Daniher, who was, this week, voted out of the leadership group by his teammates, stamped himself as one of the best forwards in the game in 2016 and ‘17, booting 43 and then 65 goals, before being cruelled by the injury.

YOUR 2020 SUPERCOACH ROOKIE BIBLE … NOW IN POD FORM

Originally published as Joe Daniher has only just started running in long path back to health for Essendon