ADAM MITCHELL limped out of hospital on crutches yesterday (Thursday) - determined to fight his way back to fitness.

Less than 20 minutes into the first of the Cougars' pre-season games Mitchell was left in agony after his left leg was shattered.

The tibia and fibula bones of his left leg were broken and the game was delayed for over 15 minutes as medical staff worked to fit a splint and make the half-back as comfortable as possible.

He was taken to hospital by ambulance and his leg was placed in a cast overnight on Sunday.

The following day he was due to have a two hour operation to fit metal pins and plates to help fix the bones.

"I was due to be in the operating theatre from 2.30-4.30 but the operation took a total of seven hours," Adam said.

But despite the seriousness of the injury Mitchell is determined to fight back to fitness and return to action with the Cougars.

"I was really looking forward to the season and working alongside Barry Eaton. I felt to be going really well in the opening minutes of the game and had just scored a try," he said.

He can even remember every second of the incident when the injury happened - including the sound of his bones breaking.

"I'd just made a really solid tackle and the Batley guy had dropped the ball. I was pulling him away to get to the ball, but I pulled him onto my leg and then I heard it break.

"I was lying on the ground just looking at it flapping around - I knew that was probably the end of my season," he said.

During the operation surgeons fitted a plate along his shin with pins holding the broken section of bones together. On Wednesday he was taught how to walk with crutches.

"Physios showed me how to walk and tested me getting up and down stairs to make sure I could go home.

"It was really strange because I feel as if I could walk or even run on my leg - but I know I can't," he said.

"I have been told I can't put any weight on it for the first three months and then the phyios will teach me to walk again - they said I could even be playing again after six months.

"I normally heal fairly quickly, but we'll have to wait and see what happens. I just can't wait to get back and play alongside Barry Eaton again," he said.

Coach Peter Roe said: "I just feel terribly sorry for Adam, he has put a lot of work in during training and was really looking forward to the season. He looked really good in the opening few minutes of the game and we certainly missed him later."

"Other than Adam's injury I was delighted with the way things went in the game. Last year's Under-21s certainly didn't let us down and several of the trialists were outstanding," he said.

During this week terms have been agreed with both centres, 22-year-old Darren Nixon and Michael Fogarty who is also 22 years of age. Twenty-one-year-old loose forward Richard Knight has also agreed terms.

The club is also in negotiations with 18-year-old hooker Eric Johnson who also impressed.