FARREN Ray is already doing all he can to fast-track his rehabilitation from a serious hamstring injury and is aiming to get back playing within three months.
The St Kilda midfielder tore his hamstring tendon near his knee when he was tackled from behind against the Brisbane Lions on Saturday.
He was operated on by surgeon Julian Feller this week and was told he would miss between 12 and 14 weeks.
But the 28-year-old has already altered his diet to aid his recovery and is making sure he doesn't do too much too soon after the surgery to ensure he gets back as quickly as possible.
"I think every player tries to be optimistic about when they're going to be back," Ray told SEN on Friday.
"I was told three to four months, but what I'll try to do is get back in about three months.
"I've hit our dietitian up about foods and diet stuff I can do, and I've already started doing that – protein, carbohydrates.
"I'm trying to keep it up as much as I can … the doctor said I can walk around on it and can put some weight through it, but I did the other day and I pulled up a little bit sore, so right now I'm keeping it up as much as I can.
"I've had a great run until now. I've sort of got to cop this one on the chin because I haven't had any long-term injuries."
Ray recalled being twisted as he kicked.
He initially thought he had suffered a cork, having never experienced a hamstring complaint before.
The Saints' injury list grew in last Saturday's game, with Jack Billings and Shane Savage also pinging hamstrings.
Defender Dylan Roberton also pulled up sore, but scans cleared him of muscle damage.
Ray said the sudden spate of soft tissue injuries was likely coincidental rather than caused by something the Saints were doing.
"This time of year, intensity always lifts," he said.
"Out of the four of us, I'm the only one who's not going to be up for selection in round one.
"We did play up in Brisbane and had a bus trip out there [to Burpengary] … I don't know but I think it's just a coincidence.
"Those guys will be back for round one."
Ray said he had received a text from bereaved captain Nick Riewoldt after he got hurt.
Riewoldt has been in Tasmania this week with his family following the passing of his younger sister Madeleine last week, and her funeral on Monday.
"He's hurt his hamstring before and just said, 'If there's anything you need, let me know'," he said.
"The club's fully supportive of what he wants to do, if he's going to be back in two weeks, three weeks, a month … he might even have more extended time off, the club doesn't know.
"But there will certainly be no pressure from us as the club for when Nick has to come back. He'll come back in due time and I think that's the right thing to do."
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