Still in a CAM-walker or moonboot after surgery just last week, McIntosh is aiming to return earlier than he originally expected.
"I've only got this (moonboot) on for about another five days, and hopefully I'll be back running in about four weeks. I'll be looking at aiming around the round one mark to come back and play my first game of footy," McIntosh told Radio Sport National on Friday.
Whether that game is at AFL or VFL level remains to be seen but the big man faces a frustrating wait on the sidelines during North Melbourne's pre-season campaign. However his recovery is off to a flying start.
"It feels heaps better already. It was pretty hard to massage before I got the surgery, it was a real tender area. Even now, since the week's gone it's not really that tender now to touch and when Steve Saunders massages it if feels heaps better. Hopefully now it's improved and it won't be an issue.
"Since I've had the surgery, the last week and a bit I haven't been able to do a hell of a lot because I've got the big moonboot on. When you have surgery, you are not allowed to get into the pool or anything or you'll risk infection," McIntosh said.
Optimistic and hungry to re-discover the form he had in 2009, McIntosh says he’s desperate to clash with opposition ruckman again.
"From Monday I can start back into the bike riding and the swimming all again and really flog myself there for the next two or three weeks until I can start running, then build up a nice base from there."
