Sydney Swans defender Alex Johnson is set to play again this weekend after 1,736 days out injured.

Johnson, 25, has been out of action for close to five years after rupturing his ACL in pre-season back in 2013.

That was shortly after he helped the Swans win the 2012 Premiership, but since then he has undergone five major knee reconstructions requiring 12 operations – and suffered a rare infection.

After all his injury woes, Johnson has been named in the NEAFL squad for Sydney’s clash against Canberra Demons at Manuka Oval on Saturday.

“It is just something within me that I have been able to keep positive and keep everything in perspective,” Johnson said.

“There are a lot of people a lot worse off than me in the world and I have still had a really good job over the last few years where I come to work with really good people and keep fit for a living.

“I have always had that goal of returning to the field and that is what I want to achieve.”

Johnson has played 44 AFL games for the Swans since being picked in the 2010 draft, but has not featured since that 2012 Grand Final appearance.

Sydney coach John Longmire said: “I haven’t seen anything quite like Alex’s journey – he’s had five knee reconstructions and some pretty down times.

“His mental resilience is as strong as I’ve ever seen and his ability to put the setbacks to one side and keep concentrating on the future has been at an incredibly high level.”