Dave Halley knows he’s already playing catch-up.

While his Bradford team-mates spent the last seven days soaking up the sun in Lanzarote, the fleet-footed winger continued painstaking rehabilitation work in gloomy West Yorkshire.

Sidelined since August after snapping cruciate ligaments during the Carnegie Floodlit Nines tournament, Halley hasn’t even been able to start pre-season training.

Considering the sheer weight of reinforcements brought in by boss Mick Potter during the off-season, the 24-year-old Bulls academy product knows he can ill afford to surrender a head-start in the race for places.

But the challenge ahead has only served to strengthen Halley’s resolve.

He said: “The new environment and having new players and a new coach around has helped. It makes you hungry, so that’s how I’ve coped with the injury.

“I just can’t wait to get going again and get back out there. This is the last year of my contract so I’ve got a lot to prove.

“I’ve not had much of a pre-season so I’m going to have to be in the game to prove I deserve another contract after the end of this one. This is the place I love to be so I want to stay.”

The timing of the injury couldn’t have been much worse. Admitted for knee reconstruction surgery at the end of last season, there has been no let-up since, with Halley even denied the luxury of a winter break.

A March return date has been pencilled in and he has impressed coaching staff with his meticulous approach to the comeback trail.

“The injury came at the Nines with two games left in the season, so it was pretty frustrating,” said Halley.

“I’ve missed the whole of pre-season so I’m behind everyone else. I had the operation during our time off and I started my rehab’ in October, so it feels like it’s been forever.

“But it’s coming along really well now. It’s been a struggle because it’s probably the worst injury I’ve had. It’s been frustrating but it’s getting stronger day by day. Hopefully, shortly I’ll be able to run a bit.”

Handed the No 2 shirt when squad places were dished out last week, Halley remains firmly in Potter’s plans.

But he is taking nothing for granted, especially after watching fellow wingers Gareth Raynor, Shaun Ainscough, Jason Crookes and Patrick Ah Van stake their claims during the Bulls’ pre-season opener against Halifax.

Halley said: “Hopefully I’m in contention. I’m not going to read too much into the squad numbers because there are people like Shad (Royston), who’s a really good player but he’s No 25.

“Obviously I’m very happy to have the No 2 shirt but I wouldn’t say it gives you a place in the side. I’ve still got to earn that.

“They all played well against Halifax so they all put their front foot in and had a go.

“That’s another thing where everybody else is going to get a go, so when I get back I’m going to have to earn the right to be in front of those men.

“The likes of Crookesy, Gaz Raynor, Ainy, Pat – the list goes on. It’s going to be tough but I can’t see that being a bad thing for the team or for me.”

The possibility also remains of a shift to full back and Halley hasn’t given up on the No 1 spot despite a frustrating 2010.

“I think we’ve got players who are very versatile and Mick’s tried to bring in that type of player,” he said.

“Obviously I love playing full back but I love playing on the wing as well, so it’s a win-win situation wherever I play.”