New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft is optimistic that Rob Gronkowski will be fit enough to complete the full season with the team.

The tight end has undergone a series of operations in recent months to repair his forearm, having sustained a fracture in November.

Kraft told the Boston Globe: "I hope we have him for the full season. I know all the fans want that, and I as an owner surely do. We think long term he still should be great, and we'll see.

"I'm not a medical person, and things change day to day, but we were told it was as good a report as we could've hoped for. That made me feel good. I've learned in the medical area you can't always predict everything, but it came out positive, and he's so positive."

The 24-year-old missed five regular season games and the AFC championship game in 2012 as a result of the injury.

Written by
Sian Cowper