Stuart Reardon is confident his injury nightmare is over as he prepares for the new season with the Bulls.

After more than 18 months on the sidelines with a persistent Achilles injury, Reardon finally returned to full training three weeks ago.

The 28-year-old’s woes started when he snapped his Achilles tendon while playing for Warrington Wolves in May 2008.

Since then, he has undergone two separate operations in a bid to solve the problem and had a move to Hull FC last season cancelled when he failed the medical.

Reardon has also endured some well-documented off-field problems, being given a 12-week suspended jail sentence following a conviction for assault against his estranged wife.

But, handed a chance to revive his career at his hometown club, the former West Bowling amateur has a point to prove in Super League XV.

Reardon said: “I’m glad to be back but training’s been tough, obviously, because I’ve been out for a long time doing rehab.

“We’ve got a good team here and I’m just happy to have a job. It’s been 18 months since I played and I can’t wait to get going again.

“It’s my hometown club, I still live here and it’s the best move really.

“The last time I played was May 2008 against St Helens in the Challenge Cup when I played about 10 minutes before my Achilles snapped.

“Before that I’d had a shoulder reconstruction, so I’ve had a bad run of serious of injuries. I’ve had two ops to get this right but I’m back at a big club now and I hope things go alright.

“My Achilles feels fine, I’m just obviously unfit but that will all come with training.”