LUCKLESS Hawthorn midfielder Beau Muston is making steady progress in his return from a third knee reconstruction.

Muston, who re-ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament during a NAB Cup game in early March, has stepped up his running and been doing some repetitive stride work, and the Hawks are pleased with the headway he has made.

The 21-year-old has been training so steadily that the club gave him last week off, which football manager Mark Evans said was mostly to ensure the bustling midfielder was mentally fresh for the last part of the season.

Muston had his first reconstruction during his final under-18 season in 2005, then had the operation re-done at the end of the season after the graft did not take properly.

"He's back on Monday and he's going well at this stage. The break was just to let him recharge his approach to it all. It's been a fairly long grind for him over the last couple of years and things are going well for him at this stage," Evans said.

Ruckman Max Bailey, who suffered his second ruptured ACL last month, had his operation almost two weeks ago and will now start his own rehabilitation program.

"Max had a uni exam to complete so we decided to get through that and let the swelling go down before he had his surgery," Evans said. "He's a pretty solid lad and he's been handling it well right the way through."