Oscar Allen cannot wait to get on the end of some inside 50 entries from boom recruit Tim Kelly, but for now he is focused on returning to peak fitness.

West Coast’s reigning Emerging Talent Award winner had a breakout year in blue and gold, adding 21 senior appearances to the two he mustered in his debut 2018 season.

However, a nagging knee injury prevented him from featuring in the Eagles’ finals campaign and he was forced to watch on from the sidelines as the club bowed out of the premiership race following a semi-final loss to Geelong.

Speaking to the media ahead of the club’ first pre-season hitout at Mineral Resources Park today, Allen revealed that he carried the injury for several weeks and required surgery at season’s end to resolve the persistent ailment.

“I just had a bit of a meniscus issue with it towards the end of last year,” Allen said.

“I carried it for a period of time and probably … wasn’t recovering as well at the end of last year.

“Obviously it was a different kind of soreness, but it wasn’t anything serious. We’ve got great physio staff, so every time they managed me throughout the week that when I was playing I didn’t really have any issues whatsoever.

“I just had a little bit of surgery to clean it out, but it’s feeling really good at the moment.

“Today I probably won’t be doing everything, but it’s nothing serious. By Christmas I’ll be all guns blazing.”

While he might not be able to charge out of the attacking arc in Kelly’s direction just yet, Allen said he – like the rest of the squad – was looking forward to getting acquainted with the former Cat, who participated in his first training session as an Eagle today alongside the club’s first- to fourth-year players.

Senior Eagles Lewis Jetta and Tom Cole also took part in the skills session.

“I’m just excited to have him out here,” Allen said.

“He’s into training and will be out here doing a couple of drills with us (today).

“He looks in great nick and he’s a ripping bloke. We know the quality of player he is and the talent he’ll bring to the side.

“I can’t wait to get to know him off field as well.”