Tuivasa-Sheck says injury is "almost at 100 percent"

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has declared his foot injury almost fully healed, with the star fullback this week resuming light running as he races the clock to be fit for the Warriors' season opener in Newcastle on Saturday.

RTS twisted his foot awkwardly in a tackle during the March 1 trial loss to the Wests Tigers in Rotorua and didn't take part in the second half after he began to struggle to put weight on the injury.

While heavy swelling and strained ligaments are still preventing him from putting full running weight on it, scans have shown there is no break and the skipper is confident he can overcome it in time for round one.

"It's almost at 100 percent, I reckon," Tuivasa-Sheck told NRL.com on Monday afternoon.

"I am pretty lucky I have got a couple of days yet, so I am just working with the medical team and trying to get there.

"It's tracking nicely. The scans and pictures showed some good results and there's nothing too bad. I was lucky nothing broke or anything.

"The last couple of days have been about getting that swelling down and now getting weight on it and trying to move."

While he's eager not to miss any game time, Tuivasa-Sheck said he won't have final say on his availability and he's also wary of not setting a bad example for younger players so early in the season.   

"I am always confident in trying to get back on the field, but at the end of the day those guys [medical staff] have got to make the call," he said.

"I've also got to keep in mind that unfortunately we have a few boys in our rehab group and I have been telling them 'get yourself right, don't rush back, be smart'. 

"So if I go out there and they see me with a niggle and I dive straight back in head first and something worse happens, then I'm going back on my word.

"That's not what I want to be. It's about being smart and it's a long season, from here right up until hopefully September."

Should Tuivasa-Sheck fail to recover in time to face the Knights, 20-year-old Hayze Perham shapes as the most likely replacement at fullback.

Perham jumped into the role after RTS left the field against the Tigers and has spent the pre-season training at fullback and centre with the NRL squad.  

Despite playing just two first-grade games in his rookie season last year – both of which were off the bench – Perham said he was ready to start.

The game shapes as a potential baptism of fire given he would be lining up against superstar Knights custodian Kalyn Ponga.

"I have always kind of had the mindset that I am ready to play NRL," Perham told NRL.com.

"I am confident. Any week, any position out in the back line, I'm always ready and I am always confident I can put my best foot forward.

"I'm not too sure what it is going to look like this week but I am ready for whatever."