Bulls star Sam Burgess has received positive news following a scare over his shoulder injury.

The England prop feared a potential setback in his recovery from surgery after an x-ray showed an area of concern.

But boss Steve McNamara today confirmed the key player should be fully fit for the start of Super League XIV.

McNamara said: “Sam’s going well with his rehab and his training. He had a scan on Thursday and that backed up everything we thought. He’s okay and on schedule.

“There had been a slight concern after one x-ray but those fears were allayed by the scan, which is excellent. Sam’s looking real good, which is great news for us and him.”

The feedback was an early birthday present for Burgess, who turned 20 on Sunday and is now four months into his rehab.

He was put in for a major shoulder operation in July which curtailed his Super League campaign and World Cup hopes.

The surgery could have been delayed but the aim was to get the influential forward fresh and firing for 2009 and McNamara believes that decision will now pay off.

The Bulls open up against Harlequins on February 8 and the Odsal chief said: “He’s on track.

“If he’s fit, Burge will be there, but we certainly won’t risk him if there’s any doubt.

“We can always find another way but at the moment it looks like he will be playing again from the off.”