VIDEO: All Black captain reveals his comeback plan
Read, who underwent spinal surgery last year, made an appearance at the Crusaders training this week.
He then fronted the media to explain his plans for a comeback.
He suggested July could be his potential return date, but added that he won't rush it.
The 32-year-old confirmed he has zero chance of representing the All Blacks against France in June.
However, he was upbeat about the progress he has made since going under the knife in mid-December.
"There is no time-frame on it," he said of his return, adding: "Hopefully in July some time.
"It could be earlier, it could be later.
"It is just about ticking milestones off, and this is one.
"It has been a long time since I have been on the field, actually running around properly. I still have a lot to do."
The good news is Read has not been bothered by pain during, or after, training.
He has been introduced to some wrestling exercises, been lifting and jumping in line-outs and hopes to start contact sessions in a few weeks.
On Thursday he was able to run at full pace before the physiotherapists asked him to withdraw and do gym work instead.
The discectomy operation has the potential to add several years to his career, something that will be of huge relief to the All Black selectors as they plot the defence of the Webb Ellis Cup in Japan next year.
"The disc bulges onto the spinal cord, so I had that scraped away," Read explained.
"Obviously the nerves had been damaged and the nerves went down into my leg and I had the pain.
"It [the operation] alleviated all that, and then it just takes time for it to heal. Nerves generally take six to 12 months – so I have just got to be patient with it."
@rugby365com
