Alex Johnston has rubbished rumours his South Sydney skipper Greg Inglis is overweight, but admitted he wants to pinch the Bunnies’ No.1 jumper from the captain.

Recent media reports claimed the veteran Origin and Test star was 15 kilograms above his ideal playing weight.

Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett denied those rumours. But Inglis is likely to miss the start of the NRL season as he races to overcome an injury, anyway.

“I think his weight is fine,” Johnston told foxsports.com.au in Melbourne on Tuesday.

“I think the main problem is getting his body right and I think his knee was playing up a bit.

“He’s looking good. I’m not sure how many rounds he’s doing to miss at the start but I’m sure he will be back sooner rather than later.

“He’s Greg Inglis, he’s one of the greatest athletes to play the game and a lot of the boys look up to him. To get him out there soon will give us a big boost.”

There’s an intriguing three-way race for the fullback spot unfolding at Redfern involving Johnston, Inglis, and rookie bolter Corey Allan.

Allan has fallen into the No.1 jumper for the club’s first pre-season trial, against a Riverina side in Albury this weekend, given Johnston is away representing Indigenous All Stars and Inglis is battling a knee problem.

But Johnston has his chance to impress when he runs out at fullback for the Indigenous side against the Maori at AAMI Park on Friday.

Inglis played just one of his 19 games last year at fullback, lining up instead at left centre for the cardinal and myrtle.

But the captain wants to reclaim the No.1 jumper in 2019.

He’s got some competition on his hands.

“I want to play fullback,” Johnston said.

“When it’s all said and done, either way I’m going to be playing footy. I’m doing what I love and if I end up playing on the wing for Souths I’m just going to enjoy it.

“But I’m looking forward to playing fullback and I’m really trying to cement my spot there.”

The bolter for the No.1 jumper is Allan — the 20-year-old schoolboys talent who Bennett brought down from Brisbane on a three-year deal.

He will be the first to wear the club’s No.1 jersey in 2019 when he runs out against Riverina in Albury.

Johnston is well aware Allan is in direct competition for the fullback role.

“Corey is very talented, he’s been putting in a lot of hard work in this pre-season,” Johnston said.

“It’s going to be good, he’s kept me on my toes and pushed me as well which is what you want, you want competition for spots.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how he goes.”

Johnston also quashed rumours he was being targeted by North Queensland as a fullback replacement for the sacked Ben Barba.

Reports linked Johnston to the Cowboys but he says he has never been contacted by the club.