"Steve has only recently started his running programme," said physio John Dickens. "How soon he can join in with the rest of the lads depends on how quickly his running comes on.
"The plan is to build his running up and then start doing some twists and turns - which will be the big test - and take it from there.
"Steve is about on schedule following his ankle operation. It has been a long job and progress has been a little bit slow at times, but we knew that would be the case.
"It was quite a big operation and, although it has been a success, you can't rush these things.
"Obviously we want Steve back playing as quickly as possible, but I think Sean (O'Driscoll) is happy with the fact that we'd rather him miss a couple of games rather than try and rush him back too soon and risk a possible break down.
"Steve hasn't played since November and when a player has been out for so long you have got to guard against them picking up niggly calf and hamstring injuries.
"That is why we are not going to rush things and why we haven't set Steve a deadline."
The only other player not to join in full training today was midfielder Martin Woods, who had a double hernia operation last week.
"It's not a long job these days and Martin was due to do a bit of jogging today," said Dickens.
"Martin will probably miss the first couple of pre-season games but he'll be fit for the start of the season."
Utility man Sean McDaid, who missed all of last season with a knee problem which required two operations, joined in yesterday's opening session after working throughout the close season on his fitness.
"Hopefully Sean's knee problems are now behind him," said Dickens.
"He's done all that has been asked of him in training but you never know about these sort of injuries until a player starts to train hard and play games."
"The plan is to build his running up and then start doing some twists and turns - which will be the big test - and take it from there.
"Steve is about on schedule following his ankle operation. It has been a long job and progress has been a little bit slow at times, but we knew that would be the case.
"It was quite a big operation and, although it has been a success, you can't rush these things.
"Obviously we want Steve back playing as quickly as possible, but I think Sean (O'Driscoll) is happy with the fact that we'd rather him miss a couple of games rather than try and rush him back too soon and risk a possible break down.
"Steve hasn't played since November and when a player has been out for so long you have got to guard against them picking up niggly calf and hamstring injuries.
"That is why we are not going to rush things and why we haven't set Steve a deadline."
The only other player not to join in full training today was midfielder Martin Woods, who had a double hernia operation last week.
"It's not a long job these days and Martin was due to do a bit of jogging today," said Dickens.
"Martin will probably miss the first couple of pre-season games but he'll be fit for the start of the season."
Utility man Sean McDaid, who missed all of last season with a knee problem which required two operations, joined in yesterday's opening session after working throughout the close season on his fitness.
"Hopefully Sean's knee problems are now behind him," said Dickens.
"He's done all that has been asked of him in training but you never know about these sort of injuries until a player starts to train hard and play games."