Melbourne playmaker Cameron Munster says he's struggling to find his "zip" as his battle with osteitis pubis carries into a second NRL season.
The injury flared mid-season last year with Munster managing the condition, which causes inflammation around the centre of the pelvis, as Melbourne moved through to the finals.
The 28-year-old carried it into the World Cup and said he'd been unable to shake it during the break before resuming training in early January.
"I thought I'd be able to get it all done and dusted by the end of last year," Munster told reporters on Wednesday.
"It's still niggling, I've still got osteitis pubis and I'm still trying to find ways to get used to it and get better and stronger in certain areas.
"At the moment it's getting pretty frustrating - I'm just not feeling that zip or that strength or that power that I used to like doing.
"I'm slowly getting back to it ... but I'm missing that zip at times so hopefully I can get it back before round one."
Munster, who hoped to play in the second Pre-season Challenge match next week, said he was yet to consider surgery, which is a last resort.
He said treatment was focused on strengthening his glute muscles and improving mobility through his hips.
"It's baby steps but I've just got to keep going with it," the Kangaroos five-eighth said.
In October Munster announced a new multi-million dollar deal with Melbourne that will see him at the club until the end of 2027, and said it was a weight off his mind heading into a new season.
"I feel like it was the right decision for myself and I've got no headlines at the moment to worry about," he said.
"I've got no head noise or any stresses at the moment and it's nice to know where I'm staying for the next five years."
The Storm are yet to announce their captain for 2023 with Munster admitting he had leadership aspirations.
But he nominated prop Christian Welch, who was joint-captain last year with Jesse Bromwich before the latter's departure to join the Dolphins.
"I don't think I've got the capability to be captain just yet - I'm still trying to become a leader and to become consistent," Munster said.
"Christian is very smart off the field as well as on and maybe Hughesy (Jahrome Hughes) on the field.
"Christian is very good with the media and Hughesy, he's more that leader on the field to guide the team around and he's got that composure.
"Fingers crossed they're both there."
Munster isn't playing in the Storm's opening Pre-season Challenge match against the Sydney Roosters in Geelong on Sunday, with all of their World Cup stars sitting out.
Melbourne recruit, ex-St George Illawarra forward Tariq Sims will also miss the match as he overcomes a calf injury.
