Bulldogs star half Brett Kimmorley may look like a fictitious bad-guy in a Hollywood horror film, but make no mistake - he is more than ready to lead the Bulldogs in their preliminary final next week.<br><br>Recovering from a fractured cheek bone, the nuggety number seven has already started training as he sets his sights on leading the Dogs to a grand final appearance.<br><br>“I got the all clear to start full training, I started pretty much this morning,” Kimmorley revealed on BigPond Sports Weekend.<br><br>“[There’s] no real dangers in me playing, my head’s cleared up a bit and I feel a lot better.”<br><br>The former Test star admits that although surgery to insert a metal plate in his cheek has left blood in his eye , he has started intense training in order to be match-fit for his return. <br><br>“My eye is good, it looks horrible… the redness will stay there for quite a few months the doctors told me… its quite bloodshot.<br><br>“It’s a bit redder today than it was yesterday after going for a run.<br><br>“I feel good. I’ve been off the pain killers for about a week now and feel a lot better mentally.”<br><br>Kimmorley was impressed with his side’s grinding victory over a courageous Knights outfit on Saturday night. <br><br>“I thought we did really well, I thought we wore the knights down and didn’t give them much of a chance to play.<br><br>“I thought a lot of our players were good… it was just a really good grinding performance.”<br><br>Answering his critics in emphatic style, replacement half-back Daniel Holdsworth drew a special mention from Kimmorley, who has also been under similar pressure at various stages in his career.<br><br>“He [Holdsworth] played really good… obviously not starting the game was probably a good ploy. When he came on I thought our organisation improved and our kicking improved.<br><br>“Defensively I thought he was great… I thought he was terrific.”<br><br>Kimmorley had been cleared to play this week if required, had the Bulldogs lost to the Knights. The extra week of recovery is sure to do wonders for his confidence in what will be the Bulldogs’ biggest game of the season. <br><br><b><a href="http://bigpondvideo.com/Sports-Summer-Highlights/208414" target="_blank">CLICK HERE to view the entire BSW interview.</a></b><br>
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