All Blacks rugby legend Jonah Lomu looks set to received the kidney transplant he desperately needs thanks to a friend's generosity.

Lomu, 29, has been given the green light by doctors to receive a kidney from a close friend who is a compatible donor.

The legendary winger has made no secret of his burning desire to return to rugby if the operation is successful.

Lomu has needed a kidney transplant since pulling out of the 2003 NPC and has dialysis treatment five days a week.

After three friends of the test hero volunteered to donate a  kidney, it seems one of the trio is compatible with the 63-times capped Lomu and the operation is believed to be scheduled to happen as soon as possible.

Untreated, Lomu's rare kidney disorder could be fatal, but with treatment the Aucklander is hoping to return to test rugby in time for the 2007 World Cup.

Lomu and wife Fiona, who is his manager after he split from Phil Kingsley-Jones early this year, are out of the country until Tuesday and unavailable for comment.

Lomu was forced out of last year's Super 12 when the kidney complaint got worse and was then ruled out of a comeback with Wellington in the NPC because of side effects of his kidney treatment.