Bradford three-quarter Matty Blythe sidelined for four months

Matty Blythe will be out of action for up to four months, following an infection to a back injury.

Blythe has been on antibiotics for the last six weeks, as he looks to deal with the problem, which resulted from an injection for a back injury.

Now the player must wait until at least April for the infection to clear, before he can have an operation to resolve the issue and return to full action.

“The initial injection was designed to help with my back injury but I ended up getting a really bad infection, which has hindered my recovery,” said Blythe, according to his club’s official website.

“It led to me having antibiotics fed through my blood for six weeks. They are going to fix my issue by operating but they cannot touch me for a bit longer yet, while the infection has fully cleared up.

“The infection was horrific to be honest. I wasn’t able to walk properly and for my family to see my like that was not nice.

“It is nobody’s fault, I have just been ridiculously unlucky.

“According to specialists, only one per-cent of people who have the injection I had end up with such an infection.

“But I am staying positive and doing what I can in terms of keeping my core strength and fitness up. I am aiming to be back out there in July at the latest.

“I have that mentality where I am looking forward to working hard in rehabilitation.

“Hopefully, come the end of the season, I will be able to force my way into the team and get some game-time under my belt.

“We are dreaming of getting back into Super League and I desperately want to be a part of the team’s effort.”

Bradford coach James Lowes has been boosted, however by the news that the weekend injuries to Adrian Purtell and Alex Mellor are not as bad as first feared.

Both players should be available in around two weeks.