Australia star Quade Cooper is determined to reach new heights as he prepares for his long-awaited comeback.
The mercurial fly-half has been sidelined for seven months following the knee injury he picked up in the Wallabies' World Cup Bronze Final victory over Wales.
Cooper suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and was forced to undergo knee reconstruction but will return to action for Queensland Reds tomorrow.
The maverick play-maker' fears falling short of his previous high standards but is determined to return to action better than ever.
"I don't want to perform as good, I want to be better than when I last played the game," said Cooper.
"That's why I've done so much hard work."
The Reds have struggled in Cooper's absence and head coach Ewen McKenzie is delighted to have his starlet back.
Cooper will start the clash with the Lions at full-back but McKenzie admits the Wallaby will have a licence to thrill in the back-line.
"Quade will be wherever he needs to be," added McKenzie. "Part of the comeback is you do what you have to do."
Cooper, who is expected to be one of the Wallabies main attacking threats during the 2013 Lions tour, could now face Scotland and Wales during the countries' June Tests Down Under.
