Neck and ankle injuries are due to keep Manly forward Anthony Watmough off the training paddock until the new year, but the NRL enforcer doesn't know if he can wait that long.

Watmough, who was involved in Australia's disappointing Four Nations campaign which only finished last month, is scheduled to rejoin his Sea Eagles teammates for pre-season training on January 10.

"I don't know if I can really take that long off and come back in good form," he said.

"I've been doing my own training three or four days a week, just so the boys aren't getting too much of a jump on me when I come back.

"I'm bored already (and) I've been looking forward to getting back with the boys for a couple of weeks now.

"I don't think Dessie was going to let me, but I think he'll let me in a week or two."

Watmough struggled with a bulging disc in his neck as well as an ankle injury, which was supposed to have required surgery before being allowed to heal naturally.

"Luckily they settled down a bit and we got through the Four Nations with it and didn't have to do any (surgery)," he said.

"A bit of downtime and a bit of surfing has really helped it."

The team that ended the Sea Eagles' 2010 campaign - premiers St George Illawarra - are also a week into their pre-season training, as they look to become the first back-to-back premiers in a full competition since Brisbane in 1992-93.

Dragons playmaker Jamie Soward said the squad had enjoyed the break following their premiership triumph, admitting getting back into the swing of things had been tough.

"Pre-season for me is a bit of a slog, but I'm not the only one in that boat," Soward said.

"I think it's important for everyone to get in there and try as hard as they can because when the season comes around you don't get too many opportunities to get fit.

"I think we've got good depth again this year and it's good being back around the boys."

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