But the man who was seen as key to the Highlanders campaign this season admits he is not going to rush himself back on to the field.
Slade (23), the Canterbury first five-eighth, was the first signing for Jamie Joseph as Highlanders coach and was seen as the man who could help turn the franchise around.
But all the plans went up in smoke just 25 minutes into the first pre-season game against the Blues in Balclutha, when Slade tried to tackle Luke McAlister and ended up with a broken jaw.
"Obviously it's not what you hope for. You do all the training in the off-season and then go out and get injured in the first game of the pre-season ... But there are other injuries which could be worse and you would be out for longer," Slade said.
"I would really like to get back and play in that Crusaders game [on March 19 at Carisbrook] but that may be too early. I don't want to come back too early. I would like to play that game with my background and that, but I've got to be cautious."
Slade said he knew something had happened as soon as he hit the ground upon tackling McAlister.
"I tried to play on for two or three minutes but I knew it was no good, and had to come off."
He had a couple of plates inserted in his jaw and said they would most probably stay there.
He had decided to stay in Dunedin and would continue to train on a bike and support the team. He would miss the team's trip to South Africa.
Staying fit was important, although not playing matches will undoubtedly make for a tough introduction when he gets back on to the field.
As for the hopes of making the World Cup squad, Slade said the injury was just something to get over, and there would be time left in the season to find some form.
Slade, who made his test debut in Sydney last year, appears to be in a straight-out duel with Hurricanes first five-eighth Aaron Cruden to be Dan Carter's back-up in the national side.
"It's just another challenge to deal with, to overcome on the road. I'm still quite confident I can get back out there and perform. What happens further on happens."
He had not heard from the All Black selectors.
As for now it was just getting on a bike and trying to stay fit.
"I'm having a lot of chicken from the blender, a lot of potato and gravy, lots of smoothies. It's different, but hopefully, I can get a check-up in a couple of weeks and start eating properly."
• Highlanders lock Tom Donnelly had an MRI scan on his injured shoulder yesterday and a result was expected to be known today, after advice from a specialist in Auckland.
