Chev Walker believes he is finally primed to realise his potential next season.

Given a clean bill of health following a string of injury setbacks, including an horrific broken leg, the Bulls centre is enjoying the luxury of a full pre-season.

Usually taken for granted, Walker has not been able to complete a full winter of uninterrupted preparation since his high-profile return to rugby league in 2008 after a disappointing two-year spell in rugby union.

When he made the switch from Bath RUFC to Hull KR, the former Great Britain Test star was carrying a stress fracture of the left leg, which came back to haunt him in shocking fashion when he suffered a compound leg break in a play-off game at Leeds last year.

Walker has still not played a Super League game since that setback but he is in good shape to make his mark with Bradford in 2011.

He said: “I’ve had frustration with a few injuries and just when I’ve started to get some form going, something else has gone. A lot of that is to do with not being able to get a proper pre-season under my belt since coming back.

“I was injured when I came back and obviously wasn’t properly prepared. Playing fatigued is good for no-one and you’re at a loss straight away if you don’t get a proper pre-season under your belt. You get those niggles and because you’re not fit enough, you can’t protect them properly.

“I know that I need to make sure I keep chipping off every day during pre-season and make sure I’m in the best shape I possibly can be for day one. Then hopefully the form will come.

“By being fit, hungry to play and getting a good run of games, form will come, definitely.”

Prior to his union switch, Walker was one of the hottest young properties in Super League, earning an England cap at the age of 18 and making his Great Britain bow four years later, not long after helping Leeds Rhinos to their first Grand Final win.

But, rather than trying to recreate past glories, he is keen to aim for a bright future at the Bulls.

He said “I just want to make the most of my potential. It’s there and I’ve shown since the age of 16 I can play Super League.

“I’ve had a frustrating few years since I came back from rugby union so my main goal is to realise that potential.

“I’ve gone along the usual path but not through setting specific goals like aiming for a Test spot, just through making the most of my abilities.”

Despite spending much of his career under close public scrutiny, Walker feels the greatest pressure from himself.

He said: “Even before my injury I’m one of those people who always feels they’ve got a point to prove. If it’s not for the club I’m playing for, it’s for myself more than anything.

“It’s not in a selfish way but it’s like anything, if you’re not looking to achieve anything you shouldn’t be doing it.

“There are day-by-day challenges and even if you don’t improve, as long as you know you’ve had a dig you can be pretty satisfied.”