David Solomona could still play again for the Bulls this season – but knows he may be playing elsewhere next season.

The Samoan originally thought the dislocated shoulder suffered at St Helens in April could sideline him until 2010.

But following a rarely-performed operation, he could be back in September.

“Everything went well,” explained the talented second-rower. “It’s only been just over three weeks but everything feels comfortable now.

“If you’d asked me beforehand would I be in the frame of mind to be back playing again this year, I’d never have thought it because of all the different reports and specialists I’d seen.

“But now I’m quietly confident there’ll be a chance. The surgeon who operated said there’s only been a few cases of this injury in sport – maybe ten – and he’s done eight of the ops.

“I’d been expecting to be out for nine or ten months so was real surprised when he said it could be four or five.”

Solomona, 31, is out of contract at the end of the season and his Bulls future is cloudy.

Getting back early could help him impress potential suitors but he insisted: “If I get told I’m not able to play, hopefully I’ve done enough already in my career to warrant finding another club for next year. Me coming back for one or two games hopefully won’t have any effect on that; I just want to play again because I love playing.

“Whatever happens happens, whether I stay at Bradford or leave. I’m enjoying it here and I’ll be gutted if I do have to go, but that’s rugby league.

“I feel I’ve got a good two more years. The only problem is Bradford have got this guy called Steve Menzies, who’s nearly 36. He’s making us older guys think we’ve got another five or six years left in us!

“I think Beaver is one in a million playing so good at that age though. If I get to 33 I’ll be happy to finish my career around then.”

After three years at Wakefield and three at Odsal, Solomona wants to stay in Super League.

The clampdown on overseas players may hamper his chances but he is currently applying for British residency to come off-quota.