Jockey Dylan Gibbons set to return to trials at Newcastle on Wednesday

Gibbons has been consigned to the sidelines since suffering a shoulder injury in October which required a reconstruction.

The 23-year-old first injured his left shoulder in a fall at Port Macquarie on October 9 but returned to the saddle nine days later after receiving treatment.

After going for further tests following the Big Dance meeting at Randwick, Gibbons learned the extent of the damage and was forced to undergo surgery at the end of November.

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After an intense rehabilitation program, he returned to riding trackwork mid-February and Wednesday’s Newcastle trials will be his first time in competition in four months.

“Looking forward to tomorrow,” Gibbons said.

“I’ve got eight (rides) for Fred (Kris Lees), Ciaron Maher, Nathan Doyle and Jason Deamer.”

Gibbons is still to put a date on a return to riding in races suggesting “a fortnight or so at a guess” but he will be guided by how his body holds up from riding trials over the next week.

“Trackwork’s different to trials and trials are different to riding in races,” he said.

“Right now, I’m focused on taking the next step to coming back and my body will tell me when I’m ready to return to the races.

“I won’t come back until the shoulder is as close to 100 per cent as it can be.”

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During his break, Gibbons has kept his weight in check and is currently walking around at 53kg.

“The weight is great and I could ride the limit tomorrow if need be,” he said.

“I love cooking so it’s been easy to keep on top of the diet and I also have a peloton bike at hand so I’ve being doing plenty even when the arm was in a sling.”

Also during the time away from the races, Gibbons has made the move to base himself in Sydney after living in Newcastle all his life.

“Being based in Sydney will allow me to ride more work and trials at each of the tracks and that should flow into more opportunities for more stables,” he said.

“The next stage of my career is extremely important and while Newcastle has been good to me, Sydney is where I need to be now.

“I’m keen to get back to business and I’ve never been hungrier to work hard and succeed.”

Originally published as Jockey Dylan Gibbons set to return to trials at Newcastle on Wednesday