NEWLY re-signed Hawthorn wingman Xavier Ellis hopes to put his horror run with injury behind him and recapture his best form in 2012.

After hip surgery at the end of last year shortened his pre-season, Ellis managed only eight senior games in 2011.

The 23 year-old's performances were affected by persistent back, glute and calf issues through the early part of the season with the Hawks deciding to take him out of football and into a mid-season "training block".

Missing from rounds eight to 15 as he sought to get his body right, Ellis returned with a strong effort against the Brisbane Lions in round 16.

But he was then hampered by an Achilles problem and took no part in Hawthorn's finals campaign.

Amid speculation that he might be traded, Ellis signed a new two-year deal this week and is confident of repaying the Hawks' faith.

"I've got to have a good, hard look at myself and probably work harder in certain areas this pre-season, get a bit of confidence," Ellis told Trade Week Radio on AFL.com.au Friday morning.

"I've played in a premiership and I've played some OK footy, so I believe I can play at that level.

"It's just a matter of getting my body and myself in a position to do that regularly."

Ellis has not required post-season surgery this year, which he believes will allow him to build momentum towards the new season.

"Unfortunately I've had a few injuries and surgeries at the end of seasons, so I've had slow starts to pre-seasons," he said.

"I thought it was a myth originally that if you had a bad pre-season you'd have a bad season, but I'm starting to believe in that theory."

Currently on a month-long trip through Europe and the USA with teammates Clinton Young and Stephen Gilham, Ellis will set off on the Hawks' Kokoda trek shortly after he returns.

He'll then gear up for a taxing summer.

"I've obviously got a lot of hard work in the weights room and the running track and everything like that, but if I can have a clean run then I hope that I can get heading in the right direction towards playing some good football," he said.

The 2005 No.3 NAB AFL Draft pick said he was never concerned that he'd be traded, despite the media talk.