Star Carlton recruit Dale Thomas has refuted doubts about his fitness, which were raised by his former coach, Collingwood's Nathan Buckley, on Wednesday morning.

A chronic ankle problem limited Thomas to just five games in 2013, but he says he is back running, even though he will start the Blues' pre-season in the rehab group.

"The ankle's going really well. I'm running and still rehabbing at the same time," he said at his first press conference as a Carlton player, which took place just a couple of hours after Buckley spoke to the media.

Although Collingwood was disappointed to lose Thomas to the Blues during the free agency period, Buckley stated the Magpies had not been convinced he could fully overcome the ankle problem.

Asked to respond, Thomas said: "In my time at Collingwood I went and saw all the specialists and I got the same feedback that they got, which was also passed onto Carlton.

"I'm not sure why they have those reservations, but they entitled to their opinions on my ankle, and their doctors would have their opinions.

"All I can go off is how it feels and what I've been told, and so far it feels as good as it ever has.

"Fingers crossed, it holds up and the rest of the body does too. I'm pretty confident with the rehabilitation staff here that I can get stuck right into it and get out there round one."

The Blues are still crowing about poaching Thomas from their arch-rival.

"We're particularly pleased the Carlton Football Club could have a man of this bloke's stature," Blues president Stephen Kernahan said as he introduced Thomas to the media.

"He's played 157 games and we're rapt to have him here. What we love about him, apart from being a seriously good player, is that he's played well when it counts, in finals.

"He's a premiership player at his old club … and we believe he's going to be a good player here for a long time."

Thomas is confident he will be fit to play in round one next year, but before that happens he needs to prove himself on the track.