The Chiefs will be bolstered by Cruden's return as they head into their final rounds of Super Rugby © Getty Images

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Aaron Cruden has been given the thumbs up to return for the Chiefs against the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday night, having been sidelined for more than a month after breaking his left thumb during the Chiefs' 43-all draw with the Cheetahs in April.

His return will not only bolster the Chiefs for their final rounds of Super Rugby but will also boost Steve Hansen as the All Blacks prepare to face England without star fly-half Dan Carter.

"The thumb seems to be healing pretty well," Cruden said. "I had an X-ray yesterday and I talked to the Chiefs doctor and he seems pretty happy with it and hopefully I will take the field in Wellington.

"I have been in Hamilton with the team, just doing my own sort of training. We had the bye last week so I went to Bali and sort of got away from it all for a week, which has been really nice. I got back in the country last night."

Carter's sabbatical has given Cruden a golden opportunity to prove to Hansen that he is a genuine contender for the No.10 jersey worn largely by the Crusaders star since 2005. And he will get his chance to prove himself against Hurricanes counterpart Beauden Barrett this weekend in a match-up that will be keenly anticipated by All Blacks selectors.

"It [the thumb] feels good, it feels nice and strong," Cruden said. "I got the cast off last week and am just moving it around again. Hopefully next weekend I will be back out on the paddock."

Cruden will start ball training during the week and expects he'll feel some nerves when he starts contact training, but he said he would not rush back if he didn't feel the thumb was fully healed.

"But by all accounts the doctors are pretty happy with how it's healing and how it's formed and we'll be into it next week."