Canterbury fullback Brett Morris is reportedly set to miss the first month of the NRL season.

The Seven Network reported that the NSW and Australian star was behind schedule in his recovery from a knee operation late last year.

What was initially thought to be a routine cleanout of his knee turned into something more serious for Morris, with doctors finding significant damage.

Morris admitted to Fairfax in December that he'd been "playing on only one leg" at the end of the 2015 season.

He managed just 14 games throughout that year with a series of hamstring and knee complaints.

Recruit Will Hopoate is expected to have the early running for the No.1 jumper.