Rugby-New Zealand's Carter could be playing within a month

WELLINGTON, July 16 (Reuters) - Injured All Blacks flyhalf Dan Carter could make his return from a ruptured Achilles tendon as early as next month.

The 27-year-old has not played since he suffered the injury playing for Perpignan in France in January while on a six-month sabbatical from New Zealand rugby.

"The early rounds of the (provincial championship) are looking promising," Carter told Christchurch's The Press newspaper on Thursday.

"I can run freely and it's just about getting that spring and bounce back in my injured leg, so I've been doing a bit of plyometrics and skipping and that sort of thing.

"I haven't started contact yet and I guess that will be the next test. In terms of running, there's no nerves or apprehension about that."

The return of Carter will be welcome news for All Blacks coach Graham Henry, who could consider recalling him for the tail end of the Tri-Nations.

The All Blacks open the Tri-Nations against Australia at Eden Park on Saturday then head to South Africa for tests on consecutive weekends.

They do not play again until Aug. 22 against Australia in Sydney, then have another three-week break before matches against the Springboks in Hamilton on Sept. 12 and Wallabies in Wellington on Sept. 19.

Carter's Canterbury side begin the defence of their domestic provincial championship title on Aug. 1 away to North Harbour but the newspaper said he was not expected to return until their first home game on Aug. 14 against Waikato.