Powell-Pepper was appointed a member of Port's leadership group a year ago but endured a torrid season, playing only three premiership games.
The 27-year-old was initially suspended for four games for rough conduct for a bump that knocked out Adelaide's Mark Keane in a trial game.
He returned in round six but three weeks later, on April 26, suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
Powell-Pepper went down in April last year with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. (Matt Turner/AAP PHOTOS)
Powell-Pepper's recovery has been smooth and next week he expects to get rid of the dreaded pink hat, which signifies non-contact, at training.
"It has been close to 10 months now," he told reporters on Thursday.
"It was just countless hours in the gym, on the bike, and not being able to get out there and just do a basic warm up.
"I'm definitely grateful for everything now, even just basically warming up ... not being a part of it is just something that I've missed quite a bit."
Powell-Pepper, who hopes to feature in Port's trial games on February 21 against Adelaide and on March 1 against St Kilda, said his injury had a silver lining: becoming a better leader at his club.
"I think why the boys picked me as one of their leaders is for the things I bring on the field and the way I play and lead by example," he said.
"So I did have to find quite a few different ways to become a leader in other ways.
"Building those relationships with the younger boys and people that I don't normally speak to all the time and catch up outside the club, just getting to know everyone on a deeper level and finding more about them.
"As I'm getting back into games and back to playing, I want to still keep learning and developing other ways of my leadership.
"I've improved quite a bit and I just can't wait to be leading by example instead, that's my favourite way to lead."
Powell-Pepper will return to a revamped Port attack without retired veteran Charlie Dixon but to feature a batch of recruits including Jack Lukosius (Gold Coast), Joe Richards (Collingwood) and highly-rated Joe Berry, who was pick 15 at last year's national draft.
But tall forward Todd Marshall will miss most of the season after tearing an Achilles earlier this month.
"It's obviously really heartbreaking because I've been in the same position," Powell-Pepper said of Marshall.
"But the thing that I said to him was: 'you're not going to do it on your own, I'm going to be there every step of the way because I know how lonely it can get'."
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