DALE THOMAS says his “bung foot” means he’s far from ready to open negotiations on a deal to stay at Collingwood.

A restricted free agent at the end of 2013, Thomas hasn’t been able to take part in pre-season training while recovering from ankle surgery.

“At the minute I don’t think they’d be too keen to talk contracts and I don’t know if I would be either with a bung foot and obviously coming off not a great season,” Thomas said in Sydney on Saturday.

But Thomas has indicated he’ll be willing to open discussions during the season, insisting he doesn’t want a year-long Travis Cloke style saga.

“Hopefully it doesn’t turn into some sort of circus like has happened at other clubs and a little bit last year with Trav Cloke,” Thomas said.  

“It’s one of those things that’ll play out, there’s a lot of things that I have to do first before I would even start talking contracts with the Pies. Hopefully I play some good footy and it’ll all take care of itself.”

Recovering from the ankle injury is the midfielder’s priority.

Thomas had been due to take part in a promotional game for Cadbury AFL 9’s in Sydney on Australia Day, but instead took on coaching duties.

His ankle remained covered by a special protective guard.  

“The ankle’s getting there, it’s been a bit of a long process, but I think it’s standard for that and hopefully in the next couple weeks [I'll] get out there and join the boys in full training,” Thomas said.

The 25-year-old wouldn’t commit to being available for round one, but said he’s a better than 50 percent chance of taking to the field against North Melbourne on Easter Sunday.   

“I’d like to think I’d be more confident than that, I’m not sure what the physio’s would say or the coach, but certainly at this stage I’ll be aiming for round one.

“It really is a week by week proposition at the moment."

Matt Thompson is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter @MattThompsonAFL