INJURED Collingwood midfielder Dale Thomas says he will consult with a specialist before deciding his next best course of action as he attempts to overcome a chronic ankle injury.
Thomas, who left the country on Thursday, said he was still unsure exactly how long he would be on the sidelines, amidst speculation a full recovery could take up to six months.
"The things that have been thrown up so far have been from a couple of weeks off resting, to some more surgery," Thomas told Channel Nine's Footy Show.
"So seeking our specialist's advice, along with the club doctors, I'll make a decision on that in the next couple of weeks and hopefully that will give me that best chance of playing some god footy in the future."
Thomas said heading overseas was a good chance to clear his head, with continuing speculation surrounding his future.
"I think it's a good chance to contemplate a lot of things," Thomas said.
"My future is not really at the forefront of my mind really at the minute, it's more so weighing up the options with the ankle and doing everything that I can to get that right sooner rather than later."
When asked if he wanted to be at Collingwood next season, Thomas said:
"Yeah certainly, there's a lot of things to weigh up, the free agency is a different landscape I suppose in the way contracts are being dealt with and it's kind of new in the football world," he said.
"I've spoken with the footy club and they've been fantastic and supportive. I've given all indications to Nathan and we've talked about the process going forward so hopefully that can all play out.
"But you never do know. Obviously, it changes a lot of things with this ankle, but we'll wait and see and hopefully it's the right outcome for everyone.
"I'll make the decision and as I said, I'll be more worried about getting this ankle right rather than where I'm playing football because I'm pretty sure I know where that'll be."
