Sweden's most famous basketball player, Detroit Pistons forward Jonas Jerebko, is hoping to recover from surgery on his Achilles tendon before the end of the NBA regular season.

Jerebko tore his Achilles during a bad fall in an exhibition game against Miami on October 5.

"The healing will determine when I'm back," he said in an interview with Swedish national television station, SVT.

"I think it will be this season.

"The Achilles tendon broke, however, not in the middle but on the side.

"They could do the operation from the side of the foot.

"They have stitched together the edges with Kevlar. Now I just have to wait for healing - then I'll be able to go and have the rehab."

Jerebko says he will soon begin lifting weights again.

The 23-year-old had a terrific rookie campaign in Detroit.

He played an average of 17.7 minutes per game and was a vital part of the Pistons lineup.

They didn't start the season well, losing three straight games and Detroit were 1-5 heading into Sunday's game against Golden State.

"We have started a bit slow but have come close to winning every game," he said.

"We could have been 3-0 instead of 0-3. So I'm not worried.

In one of his interviews after his injury, Jerebko admitted he could have suffered a worse injury.

As far as when he'll be back, he said recently in Aftonbladet: "It was a blessing in disguise that it was the Achilles tendon and not a knee that went.

"The Achilles tendon heals, and then when you come back, you're stronger than ever."