DASHER Heritier Lumumba says he’s “more than confident” he’ll be right for Melbourne’s season opener in 2016, despite having surgery on both ankles in the off-season.   

Lumumba injured his right ankle in Melbourne’s disappointing 23-point loss to Carlton at the MCG in round 21, which forced him to miss the final two rounds of the season.

He is now undergoing extensive rehabilitation on that ankle, before he has his left ankle operated on. The setback will delay his pre-season, but he is adamant it won’t hold him back for round one next year.

“I damaged the cartilage and ligament in my ankle, so I required surgery. That surgery went well and was successful,” he said.

“I have to go through extensive rehabilitation in the off-season, which limits what I can do in terms of travelling, but it is a real blessing in disguise.

“I also have to get some minor surgery on my other ankle too – not at the same time – I’ve got to be able to progress on the right ankle, so that I can be proficient on the right leg. Then [I’ll] get the left leg done but that won’t stop me at all for next season.”

Although Lumumba won’t be in the thick of the pre-season action initially, he said he would do everything possible to be ready to go for 2016.

“We’ve got a pretty intensive plan around how I can really make the most of the time,” he said.

“I won’t be out on the track initially in the pre-season with the team but I can be working on things I need to work on and be stronger for when I come back in. Today

“I feel like I’m in good hands with the strength and conditioning team.”