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SYDNEY - Sonny Bill Williams could make his long-awaited return to rugby league on Saturday, eyeing an injury-free season and a return to the Kiwis jersey in April.
One of league's most talked-about players, Williams was yesterday named in Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes' preliminary squad of 19 for Saturday's pre-season match against St George-Illawarra in Wollongong.
The dynamic lock/centre only resumed full contact training last week but reports today rated Williams, 21, a strong likelihood of playing this weekend.
It will be his first match since the end of the National Rugby League (NRL) season, when a knee injury ruled him out of the Kiwis' 2006 Tri-Nations campaign.
"I'm feeling good man. I'm pumped up," Williams told the Daily Telegraph.
"I've done my first full pre-season since 2004 and want to play every game this year and also hopefully play for the Kiwis. I'm really excited."
All going well, Williams will resume his five-test career in the Anzac test against Australia in Brisbane on April 20.
He and star Wests Tigers five-eighth Benji Marshall will be looked at to fill the void left by the triple retirement of Kiwis stalwarts Ruben Wiki, Stacey Jones and Nigel Vagana after the narrow Tri-Nations final loss to Australia in October.
Marshall is also racing to be fit for the NRL opening round after shoulder surgery last year, but has expressed confidence he will play in the Tigers' opening match against the Melbourne Storm on March 16.
Williams meanwhile was simply hoping for an end to the injuries that have blighted his career since he burst onto the scene during the Bulldogs' run to the NRL premiership in 2004.
He trained yesterday with both ankles and his right knee heavily strapped but was reportedly the fastest Bulldogs player over a 40m sprint.
"In the media I was built up a lot in 2004. That was because the Bulldogs were on fire and I was coming off the bench.
"But it's been tough over the past couple of years. The (injury) setbacks in the last few years have brought me back to reality. I don't take football for granted any more."
Despite his youth, Williams will be seen as an increasingly senior figure at the Bulldogs and the Kiwis, something he was comfortable with.
"I've been in first grade for a few years now so I want to put my hand up and not just let the senior players lead. I want to help in this area now."
- NZPA
