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News: Carter pencilled in for March return

Players/Officials: Richie McCaw

Tournaments/Tours: Super Rugby

Teams: Crusaders | New Zealand

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has revealed that he is recovering well from surgery on his foot injury but has refused to put a date on his likely return to action.

McCaw was troubled for much of last year by a stress fracture in his right foot and played through the pain barrier as New Zealand claimed the Rugby World Cup crown. A screw, inserted in February last year to stabilise the injury, was removed in November and he expects to return to running next month although he is set to miss the first few weeks of the Super Rugby season that kicks off on February 24.

"I've had three weeks now out of crutches and getting back walking," McCaw told reporters in Christchurch where the Crusaders have stepped up their preparations for the new season. "I've done some cross training and all that, so yes, it seems to be going right."

However, the 31-year-old is not sure when he will be back on domestic duty, commenting, "it definitely won't be the first two or three weeks" of the competition. "Actually deciding when I'll be back, you'll have to wait and see," he added, "but things are progressing as they should."

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder revealed earlier this week that he expects fly-half Dan Carter to be back in action in March. Carter picked up a groin injury during the World Cup and having undergone surgery is on course for a return to action in a couple of months. "He is going to be back in March, hopefully for our first or second home game," Blackadder said. "He is still in rehab mode but he's looking in good shape."

Disgraced All Blacks winger Zac Guildford and hooker Corey Flynn were also a bit-part players as the Crusaders' World Cup stars joined the rest of the squad at Rugby Park. Guildford will miss the side's pre-season clashes and the first competition match because of an New Zealand Rugby Union-imposed ban - a punishment for his alcohol-fuelled outburst in Rarotonga late last year.

The Crusaders will begin their Super Rugby campaign in Auckland against the Blues on February 24.