Heath L’Estrange is aiming to trade blows with Castleford when the Bulls return to action on Boxing Day.

The Aussie hooker, 26, returned to Bradford for pre-season training on Monday as he steps up his rehabilitation from injury.

He sustained a cruciate knee ligament injury against St Helens in June, ending his campaign prematurely and dealing a hammer blow to Mick Potter’s side.

Yet L’Estrange is happy with how his rehab is progressing after spending three weeks in the expert hands of his elder brother Sean, a fitness specialist at the ‘New Image’ gym in Sydney.

And the 2011 Telegraph & Argus player of the year is hopeful of playing some part in the festive fixture at Wheldon Road.

L’Estrange said: “I feel good and should be back running in the next fortnight or so.

“I’ve always aimed to be fit for the start of the 2012 campaign but hopefully I’ll be available for the first pre-season game at Castleford on Boxing Day.

“I don’t know yet what Mick (Potter) has planned for me but I want to be close to 100 per cent in time for the Cas game. I want to play in it.”

L’Estrange said that time spent under his brother’s wing had proved invaluable to his recovery, if a little arduous.

“My brother smashed me in the gym!” explained the livewire hooker.

“But it’s always good for the older sibling to give it to the younger sibling.

“I was there with him every day of the week for three weeks and seeing a physio as well. I also went to a wedding in Bali, which was nice, so it was good to re-energise myself and come back to Bradford raring to go.

“It’s been good to get back into training this week and blow away a few cobwebs.”

L’Estrange, meanwhile, has given a thumbs-up to the signing of Manase Manuokafoa, who agreed a one-year deal with the Bulls last month.

The powerhouse prop, 26, who stands 6ft 5in and weighs in at over 17 stone, arrives from Parramatta Eels following spells with South Sydney and North Queensland Cowboys.

L’Estrange is confident he can make his mark in Super League and declared: “I’ve played schoolboy footy against Manase and also faced him when he was at Souths and the Cowboys.

“He’ll be a good acquisition for us and we’re looking forward to him arriving here with the other new guys. It will be like our first day at school.”