FREMANTLE midfielder Tendai Mzungu will use the pre-Christmas block of training to build his engine as he recovers from a setback with his off-season wrist surgery.

Mzungu was one of the lead runners in a 3km time trial on Wednesday morning, which was won by elite endurance athlete Sam Menegola in under 10 minutes.

The 26-year-old avoided marking during skills work, completing kicking drills away from the main group, but he is hopeful of joining full training in three weeks.

"I obviously had a little setback over the break with a little crack in [the wrist]," Mzungu said as Fremantle's fourth to seventh-year players returned to training at McGillivray Oval.

"At the moment I'm just trying to get a bit of strength back in it so I can start marking the ball.

"The best thing is I can still run so fitness shouldn't be an issue, it's just getting the strength back in it.

"I've got another meeting with the specialist next week, so I’ll get a bit more of a guide to where I'm at then.

"Hopefully in the next three to four weeks I can get back in to full training."

Mzungu ran under his target time on Wednesday morning with a number of the club's young players impressive, including Menegola and Cameron Sutcliffe.

Viv Michie has lifted spirits this pre-season by taking part in every session and recovering from the stress fractures in his right foot that have dogged the midfield prospect.  

Yet to debut since being recruited in the 2010 NAB AFL Draft, Mzungu said the 20-year-old was expected to play his part in 2013.

"He's had a bit of a tough time of it, so to get him out there and running around, it's a good sign for him," Mzungu said.

"Hopefully he can start the year and play some games.

"He's a pretty resilient guy and he's gone about his rehab and been very diligent with that.

"We expect him to play his part when he gets his chance."

A key member of Fremantle's midfield rotations in 2012, Mzungu is entering his third season but said he felt like a veteran at pre-season training among the first to seventh-year players, including Port Adelaide recruit Danyle Pearce.

The mature-age WAFL recruit said he was happy to play anywhere under coach Ross Lyon in 2013 with Fremantle's midfield set to be bolstered by Pearce and Anthony Morabito.    

Fremantle's senior players are due to return to training on November 28.

Nathan Schmook covers Fremantle news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Nathan