FORMER St Kilda forward Jarryd Allen will pull on the Waubra jumper this season in a comeback from the injury that ended his AFL career. Roos president Chris Bourke has confirmed Allen – the younger brother of senior coach Jason – has been in training with the view of playing in the Central Highlands Football League in 2014. Allen retired from the game at the age of just 21 after sustaining a hip injury in the opening minutes of the Saints’ semi-final against Collingwood in 2008. The injury occurred when on the end of a pass from dual Brownlow Medallist Robert Harvey at the MCG. But, believing his body is now right, Allen is expected to make his return in the club’s season-opener against reigning premier Hepburn on April 5. Allen’s desire to play follows a season as an off-field assistant coach with the Roos, which coincided with Jason’s first year at the helm. “We always hoped he would play, but you just never know,” Bourke said. “He’s really good to go, really 100 per cent. “He’s been training since the middle of last year, so he’s fine. He’s going to be fantastic. “The best thing about him is that he’s just a really nice guy too and fits in really well.” Bourke said Allen would probably fill a forward role for the Roos, where he will line up alongside fellow former AFL player Tim Boyle. The ex-Hawthorn goal-kicker made his own return from a serious knee injury last season, playing a hand in Waubra’s campaign, which ended at the hands of Buninyong in the preliminary final. Allen, drafted from the Calder Cannons at pick 59 in the 2006 draft, made his AFL debut in round 13 of 2008 against Fremantle. He played just four senior games for the Saints, when he also won a pre-season premiership. The latest recruiting news caps a big off-season for Waubra, which has lured a number of key recruits, including gun midfielder Jason Delaney from East Point and former Sebastopol captain Malcom Niblett. tim.oconnor@fairfaxmedia.com.au