Kiwi superstar Shaun Johnson has penciled in the Auckland Nines to make his return from a smashed ankle which ended any chance the New Zealand Warriors had of making the 2015 playoffs.

The Warriors were never the same with the International side also going down to England recently without the magical playmaker.

“I’m going really good, the body’s feeling pretty good, still a little bit off but I’ve been able to be out on the field a bit more, being around the boys, whether it’s just passing, light jogging and that,” Johnson said.

“It has its days where it sort of feels good and bad but more often than not now I’m just going out there and being able to jog around without feeling any pain, which is a bit of relief because for a while there, there was a bit of pain.

“But it’s feeling good and I’m on track to play in the Nines.”

Meanwhile Warriors teammate Manu Vatuvei is set to begin a charity in his own name helping prevent youth suicide and depression.

“It can be really scary for people,” said Vatuvei.

“I know people don’t want to seek help sometimes. They want to do things by themselves. I remember I tried to sort things out by myself and that never went anywhere until I sought help. But now I feel better and everything is going well.”