Powerhouse Penrith prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard insists he'll carry no mental demons into his return from a second jaw break in Saturday night's NRL trial against South Sydney.
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After missing six weeks last year while his jaw was wired shut following a brutal collision with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Campbell-Gillard was injured again in training in December.
This time it was courtesy of friendly fire from James Fisher-Harris in a ruck session at training but no surgery was required and he's fit in time to return to the end of the Panthers' pre-season.
But despite the two blows in one year, Campbell-Gillard is confident he's managed to erase any lingering concerns before taking on Souths at Redfern.
It's just one of those things that happens," he told AAP.
"This one was a lot easier. I obviously know how to handle a setback whereas the first one was tougher, having your mouth wired shut and having to eat through a straw.
"But I'm over it and Fish has got me a few times."
The damage cost Campbell-Gillard a spot in NSW's last two State of Origin matches as the Blues reclaimed the Shield.
And while the 25-year-old doesn't want to use that pain as motivation, he's determined to return to the Origin arena to attend to unfinished business.
"It's a goal again. I don't think it's a walk-in type job," Campbell-Gillard said.
"I don't think it's motivation but it definitely sucked. I think every kid grows up dreaming to do that.
"Don't get me wrong the first game was awesome. I set myself a goal to play and get the opportunity so early you don't take it for granted.
"But I think each year I will be setting my goal to play for it again."
Australian Associated Press
