Manly coach Geoff Toovey says David Williams still has some hurdles to overcome before his selection in the side for rugby league’s World Club Challenge against Leeds can be rubber stamped.

Williams hasn’t played since fracturing his neck during the closing rounds of last year’s NRL season, an injury which initially placed his entire career in serious doubt.

While those fears have abated – with the former Test winger given the all clear by specialists to resume playing – Toovey said there were still some fitness concerns ahead of the February 17 clash against Leeds.

“He has to get through some more fitness stuff, he hasn’t been running much of late,” Toovey said of Williams, one of four potential wingers named in the 20-man Sea Eagles squad which will fly out for the UK on Friday.

“If he’s fighting fit you’d assume he’d be in the side.”

Asked whether he had any concerns over Williams’ confidence following the injury scare, Toovey said:

“He’s pretty confident, I don’t think he needs any more confidence.

“He’s flying at the moment and he’s happy to be back in the game – that confidence he gets from his injury being cleared and the doctors, I think that’s all he needs.”

Toovey put his squad through a vigorous training session at the club’s Narrabeen base on Tuesday, the heavy track under foot providing the ideal preparation for what are expected to be bitterly cold and heavy conditions in Leeds.