Heading into its final season, Smallville will visit the past early on this fall.

Sources confirm to IGN that John Schneider will reprise his role as Clark's adoptive father on at least two episodes of The CW drama next season. He'll first show up on the September 24 premiere, which will be titled "Lazarus."

As loyal Smallville fans know, of course, this character died on season five. So it remains to be seen just how he'll make his return.

Schneider guest-starred on the pilot of Hot in Cleveland last month and recurred as Liam's step-father on 90210 last season.

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.