Injured Carter to start training, may play Reds

Crusaders first five-eighth Daniel Carter is expected to return to training this week after a lengthy injury break from Super 14 rugby.

Carter has been sidelined since badly spraining his ankle against the Hurricanes on March 28, but could play against the Reds this weekend if training goes well.

Coach Robbie Deans hinted there was a chance Carter could play the Reds next Saturday night, despite the lack of time back training with the squad.

Carter, who has yet to make any comment about speculation he will play in the northern hemisphere when his New Zealand Rugby Union contract expires, began jogging last week on his own and doing ball drills at Rugby Park.

Asked if he would be an unlikely starter, Deans said: "Not necessarily.

"The medical staff have been very positive, but it is early days. It's a matter of how he copes and gets through the volume of work this week," he told the Christchurch Press.

- NZPA