St George Illawarra Dragons lock Tyrone McCarthy is counting down the days until he can return to full-time pre-season training.
The Ireland Wolfhounds international is presently in the midst of his rehabilitation on a torn hamstring which has sidelined him since he suffered it just prior to the holiday break period.
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The Woolston Rovers junior, who joined the Red-and-Whites during the off-season, admits he is disappointed by the setback but is eager to resume his conditioning when given the go-ahead of the Club’s medical staff.
“The last day before the holiday period break I was unfortunate enough to tear a hamstring, I made a break on the field and ended up being a bit too fast for myself,” said McCarthy.
“Fortunately it’s now on the mend and it won’t be too long now until I’m back on the field doing full training with the boys.
“At the moment I am in the gym just strengthening-up my glutes and trying to test-out that hamstring on the field and its feeling good so I should be amongst the action in the next week or thereabouts.
“My goal now is to push myself into the picture as best as I can and whilst it’s been a bit frustrating with the injury once I get back out there I will know where I’m at.”
McCarthy has also heaped positive praise on new joint-Assistant Coach Jason Demetriou who joined the Red-and-Whites from the North Queensland Cowboys recently.
The second-rower is familiar with the new addition to the coaching staff roster from their time together at Queensland Cup outfit the Northern Pride, which the latter was the Head Coach of.
“Jason is a fantastic coach who has had a lot of success wherever he’s been including in the UK with Keighley where he took them to a Championship,” said McCarthy.
“I myself played for him during my time with the Northern Pride in the Queensland Cup and we enjoyed a lot of success there.
“Jason also been involved with the Cowboys set-up and it’s on record for everyone to see what happened there.
“He is a very honest bloke who shares a lot of the same traits as all the other coaches here and will complement the Club well.
“He’s very particular with his attacking structures which is what he took hold of during his time at the Cowboys and it is something that I have learnt in regards to shapes and targeting people.
“Jason also has good man-management skills and brings out the best in players and makes them want to play for him, similar to Paul McGregor.”
