New Canterbury skipper Michael Ennis is confident he is completely over the neck injury that threatened his career and has declared himself a definite starter for the opening round of the NRL season.
Ennis missed most of the second half of the 2011 season after requiring surgery to repair a split disc in his neck.
The NSW Origin hooker played with the problem for much of last season, which caused permanent tingles in his left thumb and index finger.
It was only after picking up another injury during State of Origin III Ennis decided to have scans on his neck which revealed the split disc.
But after successful surgery towards the end of last season, Ennis has been working hard to return to full fitness with the target of being ready to face Penrith in round one on March 4.
"It's really just been a slow and steady road over the off-season," Ennis said on Thursday.
"I've really started to build up the training now and I'm looking forward to the start of the season."
"It probably won't be until the last two weeks of the pre-season before I get to doing full contact."
"I won't play any of the trials but I'm confident I'll definitely be there for round one."
After a disappointing 2011 campaign which saw the club miss the finals – and led to coach Kevin Moore getting the sack - the Bulldogs are hoping for a much better time of it under new boss Des Hasler.
Ennis said the former Sea Eagles boss has had a positive effect on the group during the off-season and said the players had thrived working under the two-time premiership winner.
Asked the main difference he had noticed working under Hasler, Ennis said: "There's many areas that Des has known that works for him and he's implemented a lot of changes in the training methods and things like that."
"You can't fault his work ethic, he's extremely professional and works really hard around the club."
"I know all the players enjoy having him there as the head coach."
"We're in good hands there and I know the players are really enjoying their training and time under Des so far."
Following the off-season retirement of skipper Andrew Ryan and the departures of the likes of Jamal Idris, Ben Roberts, Michael Hodgson and Chris Armit, Ennis said there was a big opportunity for the club’s youngsters to push for a first grade spot.
"Des has given a few guys an opportunity and they've really taken it this summer," Ennis said.
"Guys like Josh Jackson, Dale Finucane have really grabbed their chances with two hands."
"Tim Lafai's another good kid coming through and Josh Reynolds who played a bit last year has trained well over the summer so there’s plenty of depth coming through there as well."
"It's a very young squad at the moment and I think it’s a great time for Des to have his hands on such a young group."
And most of those guys plus the rest of the Bulldogs top grade squad will get another hit-out before the start of the season when Canterbury take on the Sydney Roosters at Belmore on Sunday.