MATTY Blythe will be sidelined for another four months as he prepares for back surgery following a horror infection which left him unable to walk properly.

The 26-year-old Bulls centre had an injection to solve a back injury but it led to him suffering an infection that hospitalised him.

He spent almost six weeks on antibiotics and has now been told he must undergo surgery on his back next month when the infection has fully cleared.

Blythe said: “The initial injection was designed to help with my back injury but I ended up getting a really bad infection, which has hindered my recovery.

“It led to me having antibiotics fed through my blood for six weeks.

“They are going to fix my issue by operating but they cannot touch me until the infection has fully cleared up.

“The infection was horrific to be honest. I wasn't able to walk properly and for my family to see me like that was not nice.

“It is nobody's fault, I have just been ridiculously unlucky."

Specialists have told Blythe that only one per cent of people who have the injection end up with such an infection.

He added: “I am staying positive and doing what I can in terms of keeping my core strength and fitness up. I am aiming to be back out there in July at the latest.

“I have that mentality where I am looking forward to working hard in rehabilitation.

“Hopefully, come the end of the season, I will be able to force my way into the team and get some game-time under my belt.

“We are dreaming of getting back into Super League and I desperately want to be a part of the team's effort.”

Scans revealed injuries sustained to Alex Mellor (ankle) and Adrian Purtell (hamstring) against Hunslet are not as bad as first feared, with both players expected back within a fortnight.