POWERFUL small forward Dean Kent says he will do everything he can to return from a serious hamstring injury, without risking further injury.

Speaking to Dee TV before he entered the Epworth Hospital for hamstring surgery on Tuesday, Kent said he didn’t want to jeopardise his rehabilitation once he starts.

“I’ll be laid up for a week or two – just to make sure the stitching is fine and my open cut wound [is healed], but after that … I think we’re just going to try and make sure that I rest up well after surgery,” he said.

“After that I’m sure I’ll attack it (rehab) and do everything I can to get myself back without pushing it.

“Speaking to the surgeons yesterday (Monday) and the doctor and physio, they’re thinking eight to 12 [weeks], but that can change – whether my rehab is good or bad. I’m hoping to get back as soon as possible, but we’ll wait and see.

“Injuries come along and they’re a hiccup that you need to face throughout your career.”

Kent tore his hamstring when attempting to lay a tackle in the first half of Melbourne’s 32-point win over Richmond at the MCG last Friday night, as he explained.

“In the second quarter, I was going down for a tackle and [my opponent] changed direction. I tried to change direction as well and all of a sudden my hammy went ping,” he said.

“I grabbed it and had to come off and I had to go off and couldn’t play for the rest of the game.

“I haven’t actually pulled a muscle before – I’ve had a couple of little niggles. I haven’t actually done a hamstring, so it was different.

“It felt like a big cramp, but you know it wasn’t cramp, because you could feel the difference. I knew I was no good when I’d done it.”

Coach Paul Roos said Kent set the tone for Melbourne’s victory – something that gave the Western Australian a boost.  

“Roosy’s words before the game were ‘you’re not far from having a good game’, and I thought it was coming,” he said.

“The first quarter started pretty well and it was more my defensive stuff that I was focusing on.

“I had a few tackles and chase downs, so it was frustrating, but Roosy thought I set the tone for the game, and I’m glad the boys got the win.”