COLLINGWOOD defender Simon Prestigiacomo admitted he was a frustrated onlooker for much of his club’s recent training camp in South Africa.

While the large majority of the Magpies’ playing list took part in a series of gruelling drills at high altitude, Prestigiacomo was forced to work with the club’s fitness staff and continue his rehabilitation from two off-season surgeries.

Foot and wrist complaints have hampered the 30-year-old’s 2008 campaign so far, although the dour backman said he hoped to be up and running early in the home and away season.

“I’m just taking it week by week and seeing how it’s going,” Prestigiacomo told afl.com.au in South Africa.

“I’ve done a fair bit of bike and boxing and rowing to keep the fitness up.

“The goal’s to still try to [be] playing in the early rounds, definitely.

“So as soon as I can start running pretty much, I can get straight into it.”

Prestigiacomo had foot surgery in the off-season, while a wrist reconstruction further delayed his pre-season progress.

While his teammates spent hours training under the hot African sun, the reliable Magpie spent hours boxing and working out in other ways – trying to maintain fitness levels.

“I’m just a bit frustrated at the moment,” he said.

“I just want to get out there and start pre-season off, get out there and get running around, which hasn’t happened.”

While the Magpies are out of the NAB Cup competition, the club will continue to play in the NAB Challenge in coming weeks in regional venues as part of their 2008 preparation.

Prestigiacomo, who played 14 games last year for a career total of 193, is unlikely to be fit for any of those matches, although he does hope to be back on the paddock before too long.

“It just depends, it’s sort of week by week at the moment,” he said.

“I might try to play in the week between the season and [the end of the] NAB Cup.”