Bradford Bulls are hopeful Paul Anderson can make a full recovery after doctors confirmed his 1998 Super League season was over before it had started.

An exploratory operation has confirmed the club's worst suspicions about the knee injury he sustained in Sunday's warm-up clash with St Helens.

"The news is bad because Paul has severely damaged his cruciate and medial ligaments and there is also some bone damage," said Bulls assistant coach Mick Potter.

"We did have our fingers crossed that it might not be as bad as feared, but he can now right off the season, and he obviously faces a long road back."

But Potter - a star full back in his playing days in Australia - is optimistic about the giant prop's chances of returning to full fitness.

"Being such a big man could hinder his recovery, but back home forwards of similar size, like Glen Lazarus and Paul Sironen, have come back from very serious leg injuries.

"Paul is obviously disappointed after all the hard work he has put in, but the main thing is that he is determined to fight back. That is a key factor in a lengthy rehabilitation," he said.

The process will begin with an operation next week. "He will have some trimming of the bone, similar to the surgery James Lowes has just had," explained Potter.

"It will then be a matter of letting it settle down for six weeks before the major operation to re-construct the knee can be done."

Meanwhile, Bulls' Academy side were in action at Warrington today at the start of a season which head coach Matthew Elliott believes promises much.

"The Academy set-up looks very promising indeed under Darrall Shelford. We have some very exciting young talent, with the likes of Stuart Fielden, Steve Thomas, Paul Deacon, Craig Brown and Lee Bardauskas coming through.

"It means that in the future the club won't have to keep looking to the transfer market every time the side needs strengthening."

Second Division Oldham have signed former Bulls winger Richard Darkes on a short-term contract to December 31. Darkes, 28, becomes the fifth ex-Odsal player to join the newly-formed club.

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