As much as James Horwill cherishes the Queensland captaincy, the powerful Reds lock insists his priority this season is a successful return to the rugby paddock.

Horwill will make his long awaited return from a knee reconstruction in the Reds' opening trial against the Crusaders in Cairns on January 29.

Halfback Will Genia covered himself in glory taking up the Reds captaincy after Horwill broke down in just the second game of the 2010 season.

Horwill was the first to dip his hat to Genia after the playmaker helped the Reds almost pull off an improbable finals berth last season.

And while keen to resume the captaincy, Horwill said on Monday that he had higher priorities.

"Will did an outstanding job but that is something that is out of my hands - it is up to the coaching staff," Horwill said.

"I would like to be captain no doubt but you have to do what is best for the team - we will see what happens.

"Ewen (coach McKenzie) and I have had conversations about it, but it ultimately sits with the coaching staff and management.

"The most important thing is to get back on the field as seamlessly as possible."

Horwill hoped to soak up as much time as possible during the Reds' limited pre-season which only features another hit-out with the Brumbies in Darwin on February 5 before their campaign starts on February 20 against the Western Force.

"I would have not have played for 11 months by the time that first game comes around so you want to get as much run in as you can," Horwill said.

No one has really staked a claim alongside Nathan Sharpe in the Wallabies second row since Horwill's absence.

But Horwill said he wasn't losing sleep over his 2011 World Cup prospects.

"I want to win a Super title with the Reds and after that I will worry about the representative stuff," he said.

"At the moment I am just really excited about getting back on the field.

"It's been 11 months without hitting someone in anger - I am really looking forward to getting stuck in."

A brief experiment using Horwill at blindside flanker worked for the Reds last season - but playing in the second row would clearly enhance his World Cup prospects.

However, Horwill was keeping an open mind ahead.

"Wherever Ewen sees me fitting in best in our structure and strategy, I don't mind," he said.

"I just want the best for the Reds."

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