Rookie Tom Olbison has become the latest Bulls player to be sidelined by injury after being ruled out of action for up to three months.

The young second-rower sustained ligament damage in his right shoulder during the pre-season friendly at Castleford on Boxing Day.

He underwent surgery last week and his absence serves as another significant blow to coach Mick Potter with the new campaign less than three weeks away.

Prop recruit Manase Manuokafoa tore the posterior cruciate ligament in his knee during a training session shortly before Christmas.

He will miss at least the first month of the new season – along with Olivier Elima, who is recovering from a knee clear-out.

Elliot Kear is recuperating from a double hernia operation but is hopeful of being passed fit for the opening round of Super League at home to Catalan Dragons on Sunday, February 5.

Olbison revealed his disappointment as he said: “I’m gutted. I took a bit of a knock at Castleford and it didn’t feel too clever.

“I made a tackle and it didn’t feel right after that. Then I found out I’d torn a ligament in my right shoulder and that it needed operating on.

“It’s pretty gutting when you consider how close we are to the start of the season.

“It’s not an ideal time at all because when I’m fit again we will be a few games into the season and it will be hard to get back in.”

Olbison, who has progressed through the ranks at Odsal and made his Super League against Warrington in 2009, suffered cruel luck last season.

He made 16 appearances before his campaign was curtailed by a foot injury.

“You’re never sure what the coaches’ thoughts are but, with other lads being injured, you do think there may have be a chance to stake a claim,” said 20-year-old Olbison.

“Then something like this happens and after I’d had the foot injury last year, which was ligament damage again. That’s the most gutting part and now I’m out for three months.

“Obviously I’m hoping for it to be less than that but the specialist can’t put his finger on a date. It’s just one of those things that happens in rugby league and cannot be helped.”

The Bulls are due to be back in action this coming Sunday at Dewsbury after yesterday’s pre-season friendly at Featherstone was postponed due to a frozen pitch.

The Cougars also suffered a postponement as their scheduled match against Batley was ruled out due to heavy frost on the surface at Keighley.