NRL: Burgess ready for upcoming season after lay-off

Sam Burgess. Photo / Getty Images

South Sydney forward Sam Burgess has declared himself a certain starter in the Rabbitohs' first 2012 trial match against the Warrington Wolves in January.

Burgess says he is 100 per cent fit having recovered from an ankle injury sustained against Canterbury in April and will be raring to go against the Wolves having successfully negotiated a modified pre-season regime thus far under new coach Michael Maguire.

The 22-year-old expects to be at his peak when the Bunnies face the Sydney Roosters in round one of the 2012 NRL season.

"Hopefully I get a run there and just build in towards that," Burgess told reporters on Monday.

"I'll be ready. I'm fully fit now and ready to roll. It gives me a lot of time to prepare for the trials and especially round one."

Burgess said he was not yet involved in all aspects of Maguire's training schedule as Souths take a cotton wool approach to the England international.

"I've not been doing full wrestle yet, the staff are looking after me there," Burgess said.

"I'm 95 per cent fully training. It's great to be back in with the team and feeling part of the team again."

The Return to Redfern match against Warrington could also feature Rabbitohs recruit Matt King.

The former Melbourne Storm and NSW centre admitted to having some nerves about how he will fit into the NRL after a four-year stint at the Wolves but says he is excited about the potential in the South Sydney squad.

"I'm coming to such a great club with a strong history, nervous is probably a good way to put it," said the 31-year-old.

"I've got a lot of faith in what we're doing and Souths and I've got a lot of faith in the hard work I'm going to put in for the next couple of months.

"I'm a big believer in hard work and I know the more hard work I put in the easier the season will be."

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-AAP