Gillingham captain Barry Fuller is now breathing unaided, a week after being hospitalised with suspected pneumonia.
The 24-year-old was taken ill during training last week.
"He's gradually getting better. The antibiotics kicked in Saturday morning," Gillingham manager Mark Stimson told BBC Radio Kent.
"He could hold a conversation for about a minute on Saturday whereas before it was about three or four words and that was it, he was totally exhausted."
Stimson added: "We all wish him a speedy recovery because he's not just missed on the pitch, he's missed off the pitch as his banter is very good.
"We're still waiting for reports from doctors. They're trying to diagnose what it actually is.
We've got to be careful because he's a young lad with a big future ahead of him
Gills boss Mark Stimson
"We thought it was pneumonia but it might be something else.
"Hopefully it's not too serious because we will need players like Barry to come back into the group and push other people and keep them on their toes.
"We've got to be careful because he's a young lad with a big future ahead of him."
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