Bracek targets July return

Former Warrington forward Andy Bracek is hoping to make his Crusaders debut in July.

Bracek, 24, signed an 18-month deal at the club in March, but is still recovering from a serious knee injury suffered playing for old club Barrow.

He told the club’s official website: “It has been frustrating. Before the win over Huddersfield we hadn’t been in a great vein of form. As a player on the sidelines it is frustrating to watch because you want to be out there helping you mates.

“I haven’t been allowed to because of my injury and it is incredibly frustrating. It can be just as bad when the team are winning because you want to be part of that success. It has been frustrating but I am now fully focused on getting fit and helping the boys out.

“This week has been my first chance to work on foot speed and do some light training with the rest of the squad. Before now I have been doing my own thing with the coaches and in the gym. I’ve come through it pretty well and I’m feeling good.

“The thing that I miss the most is the contact, getting bashed about. That is what I love about rugby league – the physical side of the game. I find myself coming away from sessions in a bad mood sometimes, because all that testosterone is bubbling away and you’ve not been able to release it over the past 9 months.

“It sounds a bit weird, but I cannot wait to run at someone as fast as I can! That is the thing I miss most and I cannot wait to do it when I am fully fit.”