'The last time I had week off was four years ago' says physio Anna

The club have endured some horror tales of woe when it comes to the affliction of their stars at the start of new campaigns.

Last year Mick Withers, Shontayne Hape and Paul Johnson were all crocked with long-term problems, absences which contributed to that slumbering opening, while 2004 saw Robbie Paul, Paul Deacon and the unfortunate Toa Kohe-Love sidelined, with Logan Swann soon joining them.

But there is a clean bill of health coming out of Odsal at the moment, which should mean physiotherapist Anna Everard has her feet up

counting down the days until some match action. Wrong.

The very fact the Bulls are all primed and ready for duty is down to the efforts of Everard and the club's

medical team.

People sympathise with the players, who may only get six weeks off at the end of a campaign, but to the

physios and company that is like

semi-retirement.

"For a physio, there's no such thing as an off-season!" says Everard, in between dishing out treatment.

"The last time I had a week off was four years ago when I went to Australia to see my mate Adrian Morley with Sydney Roosters beat the New Zealand Warriors in their Grand Final.

"I think that's the last time but that's because of choice, not because the club demands it! And if we win the World Club Challenge, it will be all worthwhile."

Everard has been working overtime to ensure Brian Noble's men are clear of injuries, niggles, pains and strains ahead of that February 3 date with Wests Tigers.

The club season may have ended on October 15 amid the fireworks at Old Trafford as the Grand Final trophy was hoisted high but the work doesn't end there for the medical staff.

The off-season is the best time for clubs to get their stars booked in for much-needed operations and to sort out long-running problems with the view of having them back on the pitch for resumption in February/March.

The list of Bulls players who have gone under the surgeon's knife this winter reads Paul Johnson, Matt Cook, Brett Ferres, Karl Pryce, Jamie Langley, Craig Kopczak, Lesley Vainikolo and Joe Vagana, meaning Everard has had to be around to

provide treatment and aid their

rehabilitation.

The process for 2006 begins as soon as the 2005 stanza concludes.

"All the players at the end of the

season are reviewed by myself and our doctor Roger Brown," she explains.

"We then find out if any player requires surgery but it is only done if it is really necessary.

"If he can play and wants to play, Brian (Noble) is very sympathetic and understanding.

"For example with Paul Johnson, he completed the Tri-Nations and then

had successful knee surgery. He's fully recovered now and we had no problems, even though with theTri-Nations we only had a short

rehabilitation time.

"A lot of the time, injuries can be sustained during the Tri-Nations so I personally liaise with Rob Harris, the GB physio, over treatments of players and make sure they get any additional care.

"It also helps if we can get players in straight away. We were able to get Paul in for his op as Britain got knocked out a week early."

Vainikolo missed the internationals to have an operation on his knee, causing consternation from New Zealand bosses who thought Noble was working the system to his - and Great Britain's - benefit.

But Everard says: "Les was extremely sensible. He said that as much as he loves playing for his country, his priority has to be getting his knee right.

"Although he seemed upset not to be playing, he felt it was his priority and he has worked extremely hard over the off-season.

"Jamie Langley and Karl Pryce have done the same and I can't praise them enough. They have been in for rehab right through the off-season -

effectively the end of October - and as soon as pre-season starts they are in at 7.30 every day.

"That means Matt Cook, who drives in from Warrington, is up at 5am every day and they finish after the rest as well. It's quite intense."

Everard is now beginning her fifth season in the job and concedes this has been one of her busiest spells.

"I'll admit, I've been tired!" she adds. "Not a lot of clubs have to do what we do, considering our season went all the way through to October 15 and then half the squad are on

international duty, then straight back for the World Club Challenge.

"When you look at how many times we've been to cup finals - the last five Grand Finals, for example - it's unlike most physios' jobs. And the bigger the games, the bigger the chance of impact injuries.

"It's hard work for myself and Rob and the club doctor but it's a real team effort with the Academy physio Alison Tooley as well.

"The game is getting a lot faster and a lot harder and that will result in more injuries. But if you have a good medical staff working hard and communicating with a very understanding and supportive

coaching team - Brian Noble, Steve McNamara and Phil Veivers - then there's no reason why you can't rehabilitate players for the start of the season.

"Martin Clawson (strength and conditioning coach) has been a big help as well as he is making sure players are getting stronger and fitter all the time."