Boom recruit Tom Lynch admits he is racing the clock for Richmond's season-opener against Carlton as he begins competitive training for the first time this pre-season.

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Sidelined for the Tigers' intraclub on Saturday, Lynch will also sit out the club's two JLT Community Series matches starting this Sunday against Melbourne. 

On a restricted program prior to Christmas, the former Gold Coast co-captain has started to integrate into the main program in recent weeks.

"If I answer honestly, I'm not sure at the moment but I'll be very close (for round one)," Lynch said at the Tigers' Community Camp in Wodonga on Tuesday.

"If I miss out, I miss out. I'm planning for that (round one) so hopefully I'll be out there.

"I'm going really well, I'm progressing well and stepping up the training in the last month which has been good.

"I've been in and out of drills at the moment, I started my competitive work last week and over the next two weeks I'll look to really ramp that up."

Fellow key forward Jack Riewoldt said last week Lynch remained at least a fortnight away from taking part in full match simulation. 

With question marks around who will provide back up to No.1 ruck Toby Nankervis, Lynch said he may be required to play in the centre square. 

"I'm sure I might pinch-hit a little bit," Lynch said.

"Toby's done a great job so I think he'll shoulder most of the load like he has been doing the last few years."

After Sunday's clash with the Demons in Shepparton, the Tigers travel to Launceston to play Hawthorn on March 9.

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