FREMANTLE veteran Des Headland is fast approaching his first checkpoint of the pre-season as he seeks to overcome two injury-riddled years and complete a full 2010 campaign.

Headland has played just 15 games in his last two seasons, with a string of knee, calf, quad and hamstring injuries keeping the 28-year-old sidelined.

He said the key to turning his fortunes around was completing phase one of Fremantle's summer campaign and making it through to the Christmas break unscathed.

"I've had a lot of setbacks the last few years and I just want to make sure I get through to Christmas," he said. "There's only a week and a bit to go before we finish up.

"After Christmas, if I can get over January when the games start coming in, I believe I can get through the whole year.

"Touch wood I can do that and get a full season under my belt."

Headland, who turns 29 in January and was offered a one-year contract extension for 2010, said he would consider his football future at the end of next season and his body will dictate whether he plays on.

"I just want to make sure this year I give it everything I can," he said. "If that happens and I play some good footy I'm sure I can go on again.

"It all depends on injury and my body at the end of next year.

"At this stage I'm looking forward to playing for the club next year and helping the young boys through and getting some wins on the board.

"The last two years, I've never had injury years like that before in my life, so it's been frustrating and the team hasn't been travelling that well either."

Headland's pre-season program took a turn last week when he travelled to Sydney to watch boxer Danny Green's bout with Roy Jones Jr.

To keep up his training, Headland hit the track with NRL side the Sydney Roosters and came away with some new techniques he'll share with his Fremantle teammates.

"It was an awesome experience to go training with an NRL team and see the likes of Braith Anasta and [Anthony] Minichiello," he said.

"It's obviously a different training regime, they're more for their strength and their power/explosive stuff.

"[But] they taught me a few different techniques, which was good, and I can bring it back and hopefully show the boys. I'll have to keep it under wraps - it's for the Freo boys now."

Headland, who works as a Starlight Foundation Ambassador, visited Perth's Princess Margaret Hospital yesterday alongside fellow ambassador and teammate Ryan Murphy.

He said Murphy, who has also battled injuries and a lack of form in recent seasons, had been the star of Fremantle's pre-season campaign so far.

"If I could name one player that's really stood out this pre-season it's probably Ryan Murphy," Headland said.

"He's just come back with the eye of the tiger, he's training hard and he's looking stronger.

"He's running like a midfielder at the moment, so I'd hate to see any centre half-back playing on him."