Greg Inglis is no certainty to play in Round 1 as he continues comeback from knee injury

GREG Inglis is no guarantee to play in the NRL’s opening round, with South Sydney coach Anthony Seibold revealing his well-being is their top priority.

Greg Inglis watches Souths Sydney football players in a hybrid game of ? Againt Port Adelaide at Redfern oval .pic John Grainger

GREG Inglis is no guarantee to play in the NRL’s opening round, with South Sydney coach Anthony Seibold revealing his well-being is their top priority.

Inglis trained at fullback and left centre as Souths completed a five-day camp at the Australian Institute of Sport. Seibold told The Daily Telegraph their superstar skipper was under no time pressures in his comeback.

“We want to make sure when Greg is back, it’s the best decision for him and the club,’’ he said.

Seibold initially had the Charity Shield pencilled in for Inglis’s comeback from a knee injury he suffered in the opening round one last year.

But he said Inglis would benefit from having no deadlines in getting back on the paddock – and he won’t be playing if he is not physically and mentally ready.

Inglis played 40 minutes last season before his knee injury.

“We won’t rush him back or put a time frame on it. That’s the best way to think about it. We’ll be guided by our medical staff.

“In the past I’ve mentioned the Charity Shield (as a starting point), but we’re not bothered if it’s later than that.’’

Inglis last visited Canberra when one of Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga’s helpers for the Anzac Test. A week later, he was admitted to a mental health clinic for treatment for depression.

Inglis revealed last year the macho culture associated with rugby league made it difficult for players to speak out.

He told Matty Johns during an in-depth interview in July: “I’m a very sensitive person but I don’t show emotions very much and I don’t talk about my feelings very often. I keep things to myself. It’s one thing I’ve been working on and speaking up.’’

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Despite favouring his left knee and training in a pink rehab bib in the blazing Canberra sun, Inglis was in good spirits.

As The Daily Telegraph interviewed Seibold, Inglis rolled past on a scooter and quipped: “Greg Inglis is looking good’’.

Should Inglis not be ready for the March 10 opener against the New Zealand Warriors in Perth, Alex Johnston will wear the No. 1 jersey.

Seibold is mindful Inglis has not played since he broke down – then tried to play on – with an ACL injury against the Wests Tigers in last season’s opening round.

The club is mindful of Inglis’s well-being.

Inglis even spent a bit of time in the halves after Cody Walker copped a stinger to the shoulder that cut short his hitout.

“This week has been gold because we’ve had him in every session for the majority of sessions,” Seibold said.

“We trained him at left centre and fullback. We won’t make a decision on where he plays, and once we know Greg is available to play, I’ll consult with him and the medical staff and the coaches and do what’s best for the team.

“We need to be smart about it. He hasn’t played in 12 months.

“Fullback is his best position, but Alex Johnston was in terrific form at fullback towards the back end of last year, and Greg plays left centre in rep footy.

“He did a fantastic job training at fullback today and was really good at left centre.’’

Dane Gagai was Souths’ only big off-season recruit, with the Queensland and Kangaroos flyer to start at right centre on the same side of the field with Adam Reynolds and Angus Crichton.

Originally published as Greg Inglis is no certainty to play in Round 1 as he continues comeback from knee injury