James Slipper is targeting an early-season Super Rugby return for the Queensland Reds after making an encouraging start on his comeback trail from shoulder surgery.
The Wallaby front-rower admitted that, at one stage, he feared he would miss all of 2016, having gone under the knife to repair a nagging shoulder issue he had carried through the past few seasons and during last year's World Cup.
"It was a bad one. We're working hard on it at the moment and, hopefully, I can get back at some point in the first half of the season," Slipper told reporters on Thursday in Brisbane.
"It's probably time I had it fixed up.
"There's a fair bit of hard work in front of me but I'm looking forward to it."
Slipper is reluctant to set down a return date but April remains a possibility for the 26-year-old if he can nail his rehabilitation.
The earlier the better for the Reds, who have lost hundreds of games of Super Rugby experience following the departures of Quade Cooper, Will Genia and James Horwill to Europe, while prized recruit Kane Douglas won't be seen in a Queensland jersey until 2017 because of the knee injury he suffered in the World Cup.
"Just for me, I just need to keep ticking the boxes and make sure I come back at 100 per cent," Slipper said.
"Obviously, I'm pushing to get back as early as I can but I've got to be sensible and make sure I do the right thing for the team."
Slipper's absence through the first part of the year means the Reds will need to find a new captain to lead them into the new season.
It looms as a race between vice-captain and Wallabies lock Rob Simmons and flanker Liam Gill, who is coming off a career-best year and recently steered Brisbane City to the National Rugby Championship title.
"It's going to have to be addressed at some point but there's plenty of players to pick from," Slipper said.
Simmons said he would put his hand up.
"I haven't really discussed it or even thought about it. I'm still trying to catch my breath from all the fitness we've been doing. We'll see what happens," he said.
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