North Melbourne’s Alan Obst is hoping to kick a football on his right leg for the first time in almost four months this week, albeit an undersized one.

The versatile utility has had a pre-season to forget after tearing his quadricep muscle in his right leg and will be forced to use a smaller, lighter ball in order to condition his muscles.

“I’ll be kicking again on my right side this week with a light ball just to get used to the movement again and hopefully we’ll keep moving forward and progressing from there,” Obst told kangaroos.com.au.

“I tore it for the first time about five weeks prior to Christmas and then tore it again just as bad over Christmas. It was such a specific tear right in the middle of the quad muscle which is apparently difficult to mend. There’s a fair bit of scar tissue in there now so that’s why it has taken so long to heal.”

The injury has been a major setback for Obst who finished off the 2009 season in style by playing in North’s memorable round 21 and 22 wins over St Kida and Port Adelaide respectively.

His performances winning praise from then senior coach Darren Crocker who said, “We had the opportunity to elevate him (Obst) because of the long-term injuries to Jack Ziebell, Ben Warren and Robbie Tarrant. I thought he stood up really well. We believe he's improved yet again.

“Obba had been super consistent at VFL level and we just felt he should be rewarded for that and get an opportunity in the last couple of games to show us what he had at senior level.”

Back on the rookie list for the start of 2010, Obst will have to work hard to push his way up the ladder with Marcus White, Luke Delaney, Matthew Scott, Conor Meredith and Majak Daw all vying for spots in the senior side. Ben Speight has already been selected as North’s eligible rookie meaning he can play AFL at any stage throughout the year, including finals.

“I think it’s just over 15 weeks that I haven’t been able to train with the boys or kick a footy so it’s been very frustrating,” Obst added.

“I just can’t wait to get out there soon and lay a bump on someone and just get back into it. Watching from the sidelines for this long has been torture.”