JONNY Lomax is set to return to action in the next four to six weeks according to his head coach.
The 25-year-old fullback damaged his ACL in the win at Wakefield in March last year and underwent surgery.
But he is now fighting fit and will be introduced to the line-up sooner rather than later.
“Jonny is in a good place,” Keiron Cunningham said. “He is fit and light years of where he was last time he came back.
“Originally, the surgeon said it would be a 12 month recovery. He is four to six weeks off now so will miss a game or two and then we will filter him back in.
“He has had bad injuries but Sean Long’s were much worse and he came back. Jonny is the ultimate professional.
“Rugby league can be fickle and as soon as you are away from the limelight you can be on the trash heap. That is just the way it goes but I’m sure Jonny will change a few of those opinions when he is back running around the field and setting up a few tries.
“He has been in a dark place; coming back from back to back knee recons is hard and he has spent a lot of time on his own.
“When you are injured like that you are out of the squad and the connection is quite strained. You don’t feel part of the team.
“People can be critical and hurtful but if they saw what he did they might feel differently. He starts at 6am and finishes at 5pm, in the gym, to get himself fit.
“He is well ahead of anybody I have dealt with for professionalism – it is phenomenal.
“He is a pleasure to work with and I’m sure he will be back with a bang.”
