NRL: Hurrell set for first run-out

Konrad Hurrell is set to make his first appearance of the pre-season. Photo / Getty

Plenty of eyes will be fixed on Konrad Hurrell when he makes his first appearance in Warriors colours this season at their in-house trial at Papakura tomorrow.

The 23-year-old centre has been making slow but steady progress in his recovery from major wrist surgery over the off-season but returned to full contact training only last week.

Saturday's trial will give Warriors staff their best indication yet about Hurrell's readiness ahead of their round one NRL match in Newcastle on March 7.

"Last week was a bit 50/50 but after today I feel pretty good about it," Hurrell said following Wednesday's brutal full-contact session that saw four players exit the field for ice treatment.

"I'm just getting used to using the left hand again now. I'm still thinking about it sometimes but after today's contact it feels really good."

Hurrell suffered the injury last season and played on before his operation revealed that the wrist bone had virtually died.

Despite his prolonged recovery, he laughed off reports that he was in danger of missing the entire 2015 season, but stopped short of declaring himself a certain started for the competition opener.

"No way. It just required rest and it's not too bad," he said. "I think the longest will be another two games in the season but I reckon I should be sweet for round one."

Entering his fourth NRL campaign, Hurrell admitted he had struggled through a lonely summer of rehabilitation.

"Just separating myself from the team while they're training [was hard]. I haven't been able to do most of their training so I 'm either training on my own or with the rehab group so that's the only frustrating part of it.

"I'm happy now but am still trying to get fit with Ruben Wiki and getting back into it."

Hurrell was unwilling to nominate a likely contender to fill the left centre position and preferred to highlight the club's depth in talented outside backs.

"Seriously, I don't really mind. I'm still fighting for my spot too. There's some really awesome centres there with Ngani Laumape, Solomone Kata, the two new buys, Matt Allwood and Jonathan Wright, and we're all fighting for a spot here."

Warriors assistant coach Andrew Webster is pleased with Hurrell's progress and said it was only a matter of him proving his fitness and producing his best form to secure a starting spot for their first game.

"He's going really well," Webster said. "He's been building up the contact element. Most guys would be a bit timid in their first run back in a contact session but Konrad hasn't missed a beat in that sense.

"He's been with some of our more aggressive guys and he's been fully committed to every run and every tackle so he's looking fit.

"Konny, we know if he's fit and he comes through well it would be hard to leave him out of the team but, in saying that, that's up to Cappy [coach Andrew McFadden]. It's a matter of him playing his best football, that will take care of the rest."