Star Canterbury recruit Kieran Foran admits he is unlikely to be involved in any contact work until January as he rebuilds his battered body for his new NRL club.
While most Bulldogs players returned for pre-season on Monday, Foran has been in rehabilitation for the best part of a month as he recovers from a series of nagging injuries.
And the former New Zealand international said he will remain on ice until the new year before promising to put it all on the line again for his fourth club in four seasons next year.
"Hopefully I'm back out running with the boys in the next few weeks. I've been in there the last three weeks, getting on top of the injuries," Foran said on Monday.
"Hopefully another couple of weeks of rehab work with the physios and trainers and then I can get back out onto the field and get into the fitness and ballwork.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
"Pre-Christmas I won't be doing too much contact work. It'll be mainly strengthening my body back up and getting on top of those injuries that I had."
Foran conceded the kamikaze playing style that turned him into a star of the game over the first eight seasons of his career has begun to take a toll on his body.
But he is confident he can withstand more punishment for the blue and white.
"It's something I've thought about over the last couple of years. My body took a fair battering in the early stages of my career," he said.
"I'm probably feeling the effects of it now but that's footy. Halves do that these days, they take the ball into the line and cop whacks for it.
"You've just got to make sure you're physically ready and physically strong enough to handle that stuff week in, week out. That's something I'll focus on really hard in the next 3-4 months."
The 27-year-old has also welcomed the pressure that comes with joining a club that sacked previous coach Des Hasler despite missing the finals for the first time in five years.
Hasler played a major role in luring Foran to the club after the duo spent three years together at Manly, where they won the 2009 premiership.
"It's always hard when a coach gets the sack. But I'm focused on the future and really looking forward to working with Dean (Pay) and being a part of such a great club," Foran said.
Asked if he feels the expectation to deliver, he said: "No, not really. It's all about enjoying your footy. I think that's what we want to do heading into next year."
