19 Mar 2012

Dan Carter set to return to the field

5:46 pm on 19 March 2012

Almost six months after being forced out of the world cup through injury, the All Blacks first five Dan Cater is set to play again.

Carter is likely to be named in the reserves for the Crusaders match against the South African side the Cheetahs in Christchurch on Saturday night.

He suffered a groin injury during goal kicking practice ahead of the All Blacks final pool match against Canada, in early October and underwent surgery in Melbourne.

Carter had his first full week of training last week and says he came through unscathed.

With another full week ahead he expects to make an appearance off the bench, conceding his lack of match fitness means he's unlikely to be ready for a full 80 minutes.

He's unlikely to be doing any goal kicking either as he's still only at about 50 percent fitness in that area of the game.