Parramatta fullback Jarryd Hayne has warned the rest of the NRL he will be fitter and faster in 2010, despite having to start the new season playing in pain from a sternum injury.

The Dally M Medallist, who enjoyed a stunning second half to the 2009 campaign, suffered the injury in last month's NRL All Stars game, and aggravated it further during a trial match with Penrith.

And the 22-year-old said on Wednesday he had not yet fully recovered from the problem.

"It's an injury that's going to be around for a while, and I've just got to get to used to playing with it," Hayne said.

"It's one of those aggravating injuries that you don't really realise it's still sore until pretty much you get hit on it."

Hayne said he wasn't worried about opposition players targeting his sternum but accepted he'd have to put up with pain.

"No, it's just getting tackled, that's what does it," he said.

"And I'm obviously going to get tackled."

The NSW and Kangaroos star said he has deliberately lost two kilograms in the off-season in an effort to be even quicker.

"I want to be fitter and a bit lighter on my feet," he said.

"I feel a bit faster, but I think you take away the strength with the weight.

"If you want to gain something, you've gotta lose something."

Hayne said he would try to be in the play for longer periods of time.

"I want to get involved with getting it out of our own end, (and) the support play, more than anything," he said.

"Instead of just waiting until we're in an attacking position, I'm going to try and get in there as much as I can.

"I did feel it (the weight) was holding me back from being more involved."

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