Having battled fitness and injury concerns all season, promising Blues winger Caleb Clarke is desperate to make his return to Super Rugby.
After making his debut last year, Clarke appeared to be ready to cement his spot as one of the Blues' premier wingers this season, impressing with a hat-trick of tries in his side's pre-season win over the Chiefs.
However, a knee injury in pre-season put Clarke's plans on hold, with the 20-year old now looking to make his way back into the Blues' first-team plans.
"[I'm] getting there," Clarke told 1 NEWS.
"I've been out for a little while, had a first run last Friday. We're all excited. [I've] got to get this knee going again. [I'm] looking forward to a good challenge ahead."
Clarke also said that while having such a major injury so early on in his career has been frustrating, the learning process of how to cope with life as a professional.
"I just want to play," he continued.
"I want to have a long career not just a short one. Learning lessons, trying to learn to take my time, not get too excited.
"Just being around all the boys it's a bit harder, because I just want to be with them. [There's] a lot of lessons taken out of going through injuries and getting them now is a bit better than getting them in later life."
Clarke could find himself thrust back into the Blues' starting side for this weekend's clash with the Waratahs at Eden Park.
A red card to fellow winger Tanielu Tele'a earned Tele'a a four-week ban , with Clarke's father Eroni on the foul play review committee that delivered the verdict.
"Straight after the game, I saw him, I talked to him and [said] what do you think? You're probably on the panel.
"It was a bit tough, he knew straight away it was going to be a red.
"I talked to him last night after they finished their meeting. He was gutted for Tanielu, because he's a Blues man as well - he looks at Tanielu as his family.
"It's what he has to do, it's the hard part of the job.
"We know Tanielu will come back stronger, I just hope I don't get red carded this week."
SHARE ME