AUBURN | More than three weeks post-surgery, Allen Flanigan is on the mend with a return in mid-December the goal.

The Auburn guard injured his right Achilles in an off-the-court incident and underwent surgery Sept. 4.

“Allen is doing great,” said Auburn coach Bruce Pearl. “Everything looks good as far as his recovery and the procedures that he had. But it was a very serious injury and we probably won’t know anything for 10-12 weeks post that surgery. So I’m just trying to keep his spirits up and keep him engaged and working on other things physically.”

Along with his regular rehab, Flanigan is working to strengthen different parts of his game while he’s sidelined.

“He had surgery on his right leg and as you guys know he’s a strong left-handed players so he puts that right leg in the ground all the time,” Pearl explained. “So we’re working on the left leg strength and see if that helps him be a guy that can go downhill right or left, and just working on things academically.

“We’ve got to prepare for the reality of who knows what he’s going to be like coming back in mid-December, to think how effective he’s going to be.”

The Tigers open preseason practice without Flanigan Tuesday and will begin the season Nov. 9 against Morehead State. AU begins SEC play hosting LSU on Dec. 29.

“Allen is our most physical player. He’s my most physical defender. And he was my best, most proven shot maker. He’s the fourth-leading returning scorer in the SEC so it’s a big loss,” said Pearl.

Pearl said sophomore Chris Moore and junior Devan Cambridge are the two players that will need to step up the most to fill in for Flanigan the first half of the season.

“I think obviously Chris Moore would be a guy that would need to step in,” said Pearl. “It’s actually a good thing because Chris has really changed his body, improved his body. He’s lighter. He’s more explosive. He’s still as physical. So I think Chris is ready to go.

“Devan is doing so many things better. He’s really defending better. He’s rebounding at a high level. He’s our best rebounding guard. Just trying to get the shot more consistent, that’s all. He’s always been a guy that can make big shots, he just needs to try and get some consistency.”