Sydney Roosters coach Brian Smith admits Braith Anasta will need time to fully overcome the effects of the serious ankle injury he sustained last year, but is confident he will play a major role in his side's 2010 NRL campaign.

Anasta is battling to be fit for Smith's opening game at the helm against South Sydney in round one on March 14, after breaking his fibula and tibia as well as dislocating his ankle against North Queensland in Townsville last June.

The former NSW five-eighth was boosted by news this week that he will not require a second operation, but despite his slow and steady progress, Smith said he doesn't want to rush Anasta back too soon.

"Braith is recovering from a serious fracture in his leg and a dislocation and he is going to take some time to come through. He has been training with us but on occasions he has some soreness which I understand is normal practice," Smith said.

"We are just waiting for him to get to where he can train without problem the following day and that may take a month, it may take a fortnight.

"The physio told me today he thinks he has made great progress in the last few days, he will have highs and lows and I suggest he will have some of them right through the year and I am sure the medical staff will have to manage it."

With Anasta sidelined, Smith inherited a squad filled with inexperience, which has been compounded with the departures of Craig Fitzgibbon and Willie Mason.

However, the former Parramatta and Newcastle mentor said the challenge of working with a young bunch of players is a rewarding one and backed new signing Todd Carney and halfback Mitchell Pearce to be in contention for State of Origin spots later this year.

"We have an abundance of youth and some great talent here. We also have Carney and Pearce who will almost certainly be on the rep scene if they continue to look as they have in training when the season starts," he said.

"Both of those players can become huge names in the game the same way Anthony Minichiello and Anasta have."

"We do have a lot of young players, but they are going to take us forward not backwards and that is what everyone at the clubs needs to do - look forwards."

The Roosters have a slight concern over prop Jason Ryles, who has been ruled out of Sunday's Foundation Cup trial match against the Wests Tigers at the Sydney Football Stadium on Sunday.

The former St George Illawarra front-rower is suffering from tendonitis in his quad muscle, but is expected to be fit for the season opener against Souths.

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