For Daniel Wells, the clock is ticking and he knows with every day that passes, he needs to be another step forward in his recovery from a lingering achilles injury if he’s going to be ready for Round 1.
 
However the silky smooth midfielder has no doubt he’ll be ready in time.
 
“I’m pretty confident now because of the way the achilles has changed over the last couple of weeks.  I can feel it just getting better and better from here on in,” he told nmfc.com.au on Tuesday; a day after news broke of his injury interrupted pre-season campaign.
 
Wells missed a string of games at the end of the 2012 season and returned for the club’s elimination final against West Coast, but still carried the injury.
 
Since then, he says it’s been a long road to recovery.
 
“I’ve still got a bit of time and some more hurdles to climb before I get it to a point where I can be back in full training,” Wells explained.
 
“It took a while to get to this stage and it’s been so good I can actually back-up with a couple of days worth of training in a row…I’ve definitely turned a corner but now I just don’t want to go overboard.  
 
“I have to be measured with what I do and not get carried away and damage it.  The tendon feels really good and I just have to get the strength back into it but I’m working really closely with the physios to make sure it’s coming along right.”
 
Wells is the first to admit he’s had a bad run with pre-seasons after groin troubles in 2009 and blood clots last year.
 
“Two years in a row now, it’s just frustrating that I can’t get out on the track with the rest of the boys but I suppose it is what it is and I just have to try and get it right.”
 
Wells is very much aware of the nature of his injury and the approach he must take during his recovery period after witnessing former Roo ruckman Hamish McIntosh battle achilles tendon issues in both legs.
 
“Anyone who has an injury in this area has to be treated cautiously because it can be a pretty tricky, sensitive and vulnerable area as I’m finding out.   The good news is, it is getting better, but it just takes some time and patience.  

“In saying that, it’s a lot longer than I would like.”
 
The 27-year old believes years of training will hold him in good stead come the beginning of the season.
 
“Even though I haven’t been able to do a lot of running, I still feel that it won’t take me too long to get back to a really good standard of fitness.  We’ve still got a couple of months before we start the real stuff so I’m not pushing the panic button or anything.”
 
And as a leader of the Kangaroos, he knows how important it is to utilise his time in rehabilitation wisely.
 
“I’ll knuckle down and focus on other parts of my game and body. I can really get strong in the gym so when I am back running, I won’t break down again.  
 
“It’s also a time for attention to detail and a chance to be upbeat around the boys and make sure I don’t drop my chin and bring anyone down.”
 
Lessons from last year are also fresh in his mind.
 
“I was able to run and do a lot of kicking and skills when I had the blood clots before last season, whereas with the achilles it’s a bit different but the time frames are the same.  
 
“I view it as another challenge and I’ve got plenty of support from the boys, coaches and medical staff so I have to make sure I stay on top of it and be ready when the Collingwood game comes around.”