The Chiefs first five-eighth fractured a joint in his shoulder during the Super 14 and, after surgery, was told he'd need six months on the sidelines which appeared to dash his chances of a second November tour with the All Blacks.
But the 28-year-old, who made his test debut in the No 10 jersey against Italy in Milan last November, said he was hopeful of playing some part in Bay of Plenty's ITM Cup campaign.
"They said six months initially and I was pretty down about that but the way things have gone, it should be sooner than that. Hopefully I'll get to play some part of the NPC and I'll be doing all I can to get back," Delany told Rugby News.
He hoped he could hit form quickly to be considered for the five-test tour which opens with a test against the Wallabies in Hong Kong on October 30.
Bay of Plenty's season opener is against Waikato in Hamilton on July 31, with their final regular season match against Northland in Whangarei on October 21.
Delany was among the leading contenders to be All Blacks pivot Dan Carter's backup before his injury, which allowed rising star Aaron Cruden to move up the ranks and make his test debut off the bench against Ireland in New Plymouth last month.
