It's just six weeks after almost being paralysed, and Cronulla prop Ben Ross is targeting a miraculous return to NRL action by the end of the season.

Ross underwent back surgery to repair a ruptured disc that was impinging on his spinal chord and was just millimetres away from spending life in a wheelchair after being caught under a mass of bodies in the Sharks' season-opening win over Penrith at Toyota Stadium.

Ross said his condition was being assessed daily by his doctors and is still confident of resuming his career if given the go-ahead by his surgeon.

"The injury is as good as it can be, I suppose. It's a day-by-day thing," Ross told AAP.

"I do as much as I can. I can't do much with my arms at the moment ... I think I've won the lottery by the fact I can walk and I am not in a wheelchair and can lead a normal life.

"I am doing some of the basic things and I am doing well in my training so it is all about staying as positive as I can."

The 28-year-old only stopped taking painkillers two days ago.

"I should still be on them but I couldn't bear it any longer," he said.

"I still have pain in my arms and my feet but I am getting better.

"I may be stupid but if I get cleared to play again, I will doing everything in my power to be out there by the end of the year and hopefully the boys will be in the semis.

"But, really, I just don't know if I can play again. But it's the hope I can that keeps me going."

The former Queensland prop said he was overwhelmed by the support he received from various people in the game form around the country.

"The community has been really helpful with me and the Sharks have been really good," Ross said.

"It has been amazing how many messages of support I received from other players, clubs and coaches."

In addition to the injury, Ross said watching the Sharks battle on the field without being able to help was a source of huge frustration.

"Watching us lose to the Cowboys last Sunday was the worst," he said.

"We were going so good and then so bad I never want to go have to sit through that again."

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