Not even AFL veteran Chris Scott would have thought he would play footy again, according to Brisbane Lions coach Leigh Matthews.

Certainly Matthews had almost given up hope.

But seeing will be believing when Scott, 31, runs out for Brisbane's reserves at the Gabba on Sunday - his first competitive football match in almost two years.

The two-time premiership player has finally overcome a hip complaint that at one stage had everyone convinced Scott's footy days were over.

Scott has overcome setback after setback since going down in round 22, 2005.

"I don't think he thought - or we thought really - that he would get to the day that his body could play another game of footy," Matthews said.

"It's an incredible tick for perseverance.

"Every time Chris accelerated his training he has broken down, a bit like (Collingwood's) Nathan Buckley.

"He's only barely ready to play but we thought when Chris said he was ready to get on the field that we will give him a bit of footy."

But Scott shouldn't be holding his breath if he wants to return to the AFL any time soon.

"He has only done a couple of weeks of group training," Matthews said.

"He's given away an enormous start to be conditioned enough to be playing footy at any level to be honest."

But fellow veteran Chris Johnson (foot) is a lot closer to an AFL return.

Johnson hasn't been sighted since going down early against Richmond six weeks ago.

"He's on target to train next week and play next weekend," Matthews said.

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