It appears the green light from Sydney Roosters coach Brad Fittler is all that stands between Willie Mason and a return from injury in next week's opening round clash against fierce NRL rivals South Sydney.

Training strongly after undergoing knee surgery in September last year, Mason is looming as a shock starter against the Rabbitohs at the Sydney Football Stadium on March 14 after missing all three of the Roosters' pre-season matches.

Fittler has said he would be guided by what the medical staff - including Dr Merv Cross who performed the surgery - say in terms of Mason's return date.

Club doctor John Orchard on Friday confirmed the former Test forward was "close" to a return.

"He's getting very close, but I don't think a decision's been made on next week," Orchard told AAP on Friday.

Pressed further, Orchard would only offer:

"He's getting very close, he should play in the first few rounds of the season."

But a sports injury website run by Orchard - which details expected recovery times for sporting stars across a variety of sports - may have given the best possible hint as to Mason's possible comeback date.

"Willie Mason - knee ACL. A month ahead of schedule and will play round 1," it reads.

While the website is hardly the definitive answer as to Mason's return, the prospect of the 115kg giant coming off the bench against the Rabbitohs would no doubt boost interest in what is likely to be a fierce local derby.

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