Kobe Bryant began an intense six-month training program with an early-morning workout Monday, sources with knowledge of the situation said.

As he returns from a broken bone in his left lateral tibial plateau, Bryant has been cleared for running and shooting.

Bryant was confident about pushing harder after receiving positive feedback during a consultation last week with the doctors in Germany who previously performed the platelet-rich plasma treatment known as Orthokine on his knees.

Bryant visited the doctors while he was in Europe on a short trip with his family last week, sources said.