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Craig Wing setting sights on Rabbitohs return
AAP & rugbyleaguelive.com
21/05/08


It's just really killing me watching games... Recuperating Rabbitohs' recruit Craig Wing

Recuperating Rabbitohs' recruit Craig Wing says it is killing him watching Souths struggle without him, but he hopes to be back on the field in a month despite a couple of "sticky patches".

The Test and NSW hooker-halfback was hailed as the prodigal son after returning to Souths this year after eight seasons with the Roosters.

However, the season could hardly have started worse for Wing and the Rabbitohs.

Wing dislocated his left shoulder after just eight minutes of the opening round match against the Roosters, while Souths are running last with just one win from nine matches.

Into the 10th week of his rehabilitation, Wing said the recovery process was always going to take three to four months.

The 28-year-old utility said he was still on track to return after the Rabbitohs' second bye in their round 15 clash with the Titans on June 23.

"The initial stages of the recovery process were going really, really well," Wing told AAP today.

"But the last couple of weeks, I think I got a bit of an irritation.

"I've had a cortisone (injection) a week and a half ago, it's just a few little sticky patches holding me back.

Wing said he still didn't have a full range of movement in his shoulder and hadn't started catching and passing the ball.

He said he was doing plenty of running and lots of leg weights, but no upper body weights.

His sense of frustration has been compounded by being unable to get out on the field and actively contribute to a Rabbitohs' revival.

Watching from the coaches' box has enabled Wing to see where he might be able to help his battling colleagues.

"It's really hard, I've been watching a few of the games up in the coaches' box and can see how the game is unfolding," Wing said.

"I'd really love to be out there helping the guys, it's just really killing me watching games.

"Just looking down on the game, it's much easier when you are up top looking down on it.

"I can see where I could help out and change a few things.

"I really want to be out there, I miss my football at the moment. I just can't wait to get back on the field."

Another Rabbitoh looking for a lift is prolific try scoring winger Nathan Merritt.

Boasting an average of better than a try every two games, Merritt feels his season has started slowly following major knee injury towards the end of last year.

"I'm slowly getting there, once we get a bit of momentum going and a bit of free flowing football my game will pick up, it's been pretty average," said Merritt, who has notched four tries in nine games this season.

"I'm looking for a big second half of the year to put myself back on track again.

"Coming back from a major knee injury was always going to be a slow process. I'm just trying to finally get fit."