The immediate playing future of Andrew Johns appears more hopeful after he received a tentative clearance from his doctor.

Spinal specialist Professor John Yeo told the Australian Test skipper his condition had improved significantly and gave him permission to begin weight training.

Professor Yeo also said that for the time being "it would appear that surgery would not be required".

Johns, 29, had this week publicly raised the prospect of retirement if he needed surgery.

He said the injury had been playing on his mind and told reporters that the good news had been a relief.

"You just can't describe how much of a relief and how much of a weight off the shoulders," he said.

"It's been a really tough couple of weeks.

"It's just great to get some good news and I'm going away for a holiday and then when I get back I'm just going to tear right into training."

Johns will undergo more MRI scans to determine when he should resume full contact training.

The Knights begin pre-season training on November 10.

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