Prop Aaron Woods says fellow Canterbury-Bankstown recruit Kieran Foran is ahead of schedule as the Kiwi international nurses his body back to full health.

“He’s still doing a bit of monitored training,” Woods said on Thursday.

“They’re being really cautious with how his body’s going. They don’t want him to break down too early.

“His body’s come a long way. I think he’s a bit ahead of schedule.”

Woods was also quick to praise new coach and former Bulldogs enforcer Dean Pay.

“It’s a fresh start for the club. They’ve bought a couple of players. There’s a fair turnaround with the staff as well last year, so it’s a completely different club at the moment,” Woods said.

“Deano can’t change what happened last year. He wasn’t here. He wasn’t in control. We’ve all moved forward.

“Like Deano said, everyone’s here now, he wants everyone here, so we’ll just keep working hard.”

The Bulldogs begin their 2018 campaign with a round one clash against Melbourne in Perth.