Ciaran Sheehan is in good spirits ahead of the new AFL season, after being designated as one of Carlton's nominated rookies.

It means Sheehan can play every game – but he will have to wait to put his hand up for selection, after a minor setback with a groin injury.

Carlton’s 2014 best first-year player, who impressed in the last four AFL matches of last season after which he was anointed the inaugural winner of the Chris Judd Player Development Academy Award, is relieved he won’t require surgery and is hopeful of regaining his senior spot later this month.

“I missed most of the NAB Challenge with the injury but it’s just a case of managing it and I don’t need surgery which is the main thing,” Sheehan told the Irish Mirror.

“Its an exciting time for the club with the new season starting against Richmond at the MCG on Thursday so its disappointing to be injured but hopefully I will be back for round two or three.

“Round one is probably going to be a bit too soon, I have to take things week by week, but it’s a common injury and is nothing serious.”

The former Cork All-Ireland winner in Gaelic Football is aiming to establish himself in the Blues backline as a rebounding defender this year.

“I’m comfortable playing down back and my ambition for this season is to be more consistent in every game,” Sheehan said.

“The more games I play, the better I will get. The best is definitely yet to come from me.”

The left-footed Sheehan, who debuted in Carlton’s Round 20 win over Gold Coast at Etihad Stadium last year, is also determined to become one of the core group of Carlton young players aiming for finals football in the coming seasons.

“Levi Casboult, Liam Jones, and myself are all in the 24-25 age bracket and we all want to play in finals for Carlton,” Sheehan said.

“We know we can only do that by improving in every single game and helping the team to win more AFL (home and away) matches.”