PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) — Penguins forward Arron Asham says he close to returning from a concussion and hopes he can get back in the lineup this weekend against either Philadelphia on Saturday or Buffalo on Sunday.

Both games are on the road.

Asham has been out since Jan. 15. He was hit with an elbow Jan. 11 at Washington and discovered concussion symptoms days later.

Asham said after Tuesday’s practice — his first with teammates since suffering the injury — that he feels good and it’s just a matter of conditioning now to get back into the lineup.

“Head-wise and confidence-wise I feel good,” Asham said. “It’s a matter of getting my legs under me. I’ll get a couple of good skates here this week and hopefully be ready for the weekend.

“I’m practicing and taking little steps from there. I’m planning on being ready for the weekend. It’s just a matter of the coaches feel confident enough to have me in or if I can crack the lineup. The team’s playing pretty good right now. I have to get my hands and timing back, getting ready for the weekend.”

The concussion was Asham’s second in as many years.

“Last year was my first one and I was laying at home not knowing what was going on,” he said. “This one I knew what to expect and I’m feeling good now. I’m ready to play my game and play the way I can.”

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