Injured Penrith star Kikau gives up meat to keep size

Penrith powerhouse Viliame Kikau has given up red meat while recovering from a knee injury in a bid to maintain his fitness and weight.

Kikau stepped away from the crutches for the first time on Monday since suffering a medial ligament strain in the trial win over South Sydney last week, and is on track for a round-four return.

But the hulking second-rower admits he's being extra careful with what he eats while he's not on the field running, after his powerful frame proved a problem for defensive lines last year.

"One of the things I have to stick with is my fitness and getting the right amount to eat, making sure I don't eat too much like I normally do," Kikau said.

"I still eat chicken but not red meat. Just heaps of seafood and heaps of veges.

"I think it's just while I've got the injury. I'm not doing a lot of running so I'm just in the gym and doing the inside grind.

"I'm not going to lose a lot of weight, so I've just got to be careful with what I eat."

Kikau is one of several players to have been injured in this year's trials.

Manly fullback Tom Trbojevic (hamstring) is one of three Sea Eagles injured, while Melbourne have lost fullback Scott Drinkwater (pectoral) and Parramatta Manu Ma'u.

But Kikau said they were a necessary evil and he didn't agree with the suggestion there should be less, or that top-tier players shouldn't feature.

"I think we still need those trial games. We train so hard but you just need those for game fitness. That's why they are there to get match fitness before the start," he said.

"Unfortunately that is footy. Injuries happen and just got to continue with it and get my rehab and get back on the field with the boys again."