Kiwi ace Lesley Vainikolo will miss his THIRD successive Tri-Nations - but not before firing the Bulls' Grand Final charge.

The superstar winger today revealed he needs more surgery on a long-standing knee problem and will go under the knife once Bradford's Super League campaign draws to a close.

That rules Vainikolo out of New Zealand's plans again, having missed the last two tournaments due to knee operations, but he is confident of having a positive impact on his club's Grand Final hopes.

The reigning champions take their first step towards Old Trafford against Salford City Reds in a play-off eliminator tonight. And the 17-try powerhouse is ready to make sure he isn't visiting his surgeon too soon, returning to bolster the Bulls' cause having sat it out against Huddersfield last weekend to ease pressure on his troubled knee.

"I feel refreshed and good to go," he said. "I was able to rest up and that meant I could do all the training with the boys this week.

"I've had to miss sessions in the past because of the knee but I wanted to do everything before a big game like tonight and, with missing Hudders-field, I've had a great week."

Vainikolo continued: "I'm very disappointed about New Zealand but I will probably need another scrape-out of my cartilage and ligament.

"I've tried my hardest to get back for the Kiwis and it is frustrating when you're injured like this but that's the game and that's life.

"I want to do the business with the Bulls though. They are putting the food on the table for my wife and family and I want to give them 120 per cent."

The Tongan giant, who made his first international appearance in two years against Great Britain in June, takes Marcus St Hilaire's place tonight but Jamie Langley has lost his fight to be fit.

It looks likely the loose forward will need groin surgery at the end of the play-offs and that means he won't be named in Brian Noble's Great Britain Tri-Nations squad on Monday.

Meanwhile, Bulls can draw inspiration from Bradford-born boxing star Junior Witter tonight when he parades the WBC light-welterweight belt at Grattan Stadium.

Witter said: "I am really looking forward to it. The people of Bradford have supported me throughout my career and it is a great opportunity to show off my belt at the home of Bradford's other world champions."