Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll has revealed that he is encouraged by wide receiver Percy Harvin's recovery from a hip injury.

Harvin was placed on his side's physically unable to perform list after tearing his hip labrum during training camp and will be allowed to return to team activities in week six.

Carroll told ESPN: "He will be back in town this week. He was in New York to make sure that the doctor that did the surgery and his rehab team back there was really on it and could really sign off on him.

"So he'll be back with us. I know he started running last week. I don't know any more than that until we get him out here working with our guys.

"It's encouraging, we're getting closer and if it can happen it's going to happen as soon as possible."

The Seahawks sustained their first loss of the season in their defeat to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.