By Josh Rakic

A mangled mess was how Jarrod Sammut described his right ankle that is threatening to force him out of the Panthers' round one clash against Canberra.

The livewire playmaker-cum-fullback underwent a complicated operation in November to repair the ankle, which a bulked-up Sammut revealed to The Sun–Herald had been hampering him during his three years in the NRL.

"There were torn ligaments, the tendons were all out of place, I had overgrown scar tissue which stopped the mobility and flexibility in the ankle, and to top it all off the ankle wasn't sitting on the joint properly. It was a mangle," said the 22-year-old, who hopes to return to training in February.

"I used to get needled up before the games so I could play without pain but I couldn't last any longer.

"It cost me a few games, where I'd roll it a day or two short of the game.

"It probably started in the SG Ball days but I'd always put off surgery until last year. It got to the stage where I was hurting it once a week. I lost all stability in there and was meant to have the operation done mid-season but we had a few injuries so I lasted it out. I've pretty much got to start from scratch again now and get the strength and stability and flexibility back in it. I don't want to get running too quick, so I don't roll it again. I'm pretty confident I'll be available round one. I hope so. Where I'll play is unknown."

Still a month out from trials, Panthers coach Matthew Elliott hasn't yet decided on his preferred roster for the new season, but Sammut is all too aware of the threat posed by kamikaze custodian Lachlan Coote for the No.1 guernsey.

Coote had ownership of the fullback position before sustaining a season-ending shoulder injury and the fact he's bulked up by more than 10 kilograms in the off-season is likely to result in him having first crack at the jersey.

"I'm more worried about getting the ankle right and getting back on the paddock. I just want to force myself somewhere in the 17," Sammut said. "But it's a big challenge with me and Cootey.

"Cootey has overtaken me, he's at 85 kilograms at the moment. I always had the upper hand last year but now he's got me – I'm still struggling to make that 80 kilogram mark and stay there (laughs)."

Sammut said he wouldn't complain if Elliott asked him to fill a Craig Wing-like utility role.

"Matty likes me as a utility – I played a few games coming off the bench last year and filling in where needed. I don't think it's a bad role to have. I just want to be in that 17 somewhere and contribute," said Sammut, who's confident he'll return to the field fitter, faster and more agile than ever as a result of the ankle surgery.