Lesley Vainikolo will be fit and firing for the World Club Challenge showdown with Wests Tigers at the Galpharm on February 4.

The giant winger is recovering well from an operation to repair a micro fracture on his right knee - a procedure that involves making the bone bleed to stimulate growth so it repairs itself.

"There was a big bone loose and floating about," said Vainikolo. "But the knee is all right, it is getting better. I can't wait until next year."

With his recovery time from the operation expected to be two months, Vainikolo should be back to full fitness in time to face the Tigers.

Despite suffering the injury in the play-off victory against St Helens, he never contemplated missing the Grand Final and went on to score the match-winner against Leeds Rhinos.

"I was ready, I was all right, but I made it worse in the final. I went and saw a specialist the following week and he said I had to get it done."

That meant missing out on the Gillette Tri-Nations but Vainikolo was philosophical about missing the tournament for the second year running. "It was my aim from the beginning of the year to make the Kiwis but unfortunately it wasn't meant to be. It is in God's hands."

Vainikolo will be watching from the stands tomorrow when the Kiwis take on Great Britain before

departing for a five-week break in New Zealand the next day. Even without him, he believes the Kiwis can go on to win the tournament.

"I hate sitting on the sideline and watching the boys when I'm injured. But they are going good.

"I think they can win it."