Emerging Richmond key defender David Astbury is poised for a full pre-season program, optimistic that his late-season VFL return from a serious knee injury will hold him in good stead in 2015.

Astbury suffered a left patella dislocation in Round 9 this year, when he went to change direction in his attempt to tackle Melbourne's Jack Viney.

The 23-year-old suffered the same injury on his right side, midway through the 2011 season, which sidelined him for a year. 

But it’s a much brighter outlook now for Astbury, who will resume full training with the Tigers when they return in mid-November.

"He had the surgery and it was successful and he got back playing and worked really hard, which is a credit to him," said Richmond’s General Manager of Football, Dan Richardson.

"He'll be ready to go from the start of pre-season, which is terrific.

"I think getting back and playing one game, even though it was only one, will give him the confidence that his knee is right to go."

Asbury had limited game time in the VFL match he played against Footscray in late August, as the aim was to simply get him through the game.

It was an important step in his recovery from the injury, however, with the Tigers hopeful it would provide him with a springboard into the pre-season.

They also believe the strong defender will take heart from his start to the 2014 season, which saw him produce impressive performances against the likes of top-line AFL key forwards Travis Cloke, Jarryd Roughead and Tom Hawkins.

Astbury was coming second in the Club's best and fairest – which was won by captain Trent Cotchin – when the injury happened.

"He had a great start to the year . . . he did really well to get back and at least play a game and recovery fully from the knee," Richardson said.

"That gives him the opportunity to have another good pre-season, which he did last year.

"Hopefully, he'll just pick up on the form he showed early this year."

Astbury signed a two-year contract extension with Richmond in September, which will keep him at the Club until at least the end of 2016.