Newly-appointed Bulls captain Heath L’Estrange is facing a race against time to be fit for the Super League opener against Catalan Dragons next weekend.

The 26-year-old hooker sustained a cruciate knee ligament injury against St Helens last June, ending his campaign prematurely and dealing a hammer blow to Mick Potter’s side.

L’Estrange’s rehabilitation had progressed well throughout the close-season, only for his knee to become infected and hamper his recovery.

He will not play any part in either of this weekend’s matches against Keighley and Hull but is aiming to be passed for the visit of Catalan on Sunday, February 5.

L’Estrange, who will share the captaincy with fellow hooker Matt Diskin this year, said: “The rehab was going really well but then I had an infection in it and it probably set me back several weeks.

“That was obviously very disappointing because I’m not a very good viewer of rugby league at all. I need to be out there with the boys cracking heads.

“But hopefully I’ll be fit to lead the team out with Disko against Catalan.”

The popular Australian does not see much changing now that he and Diskin have assumed joint responsibility for the captaincy.

“I think it works well with us interchanging as hooker, so one of us should always be on the field,” said L’Estrange.

“If we’re both on the pitch at the same time, we will probably play scissors, paper and rock to see who gets to make the call!

“It’s great for the club and for the boys but nothing will change off the field.

“We’ve got a senior players committee who look after everything and we’ll just keep on doing what we’ve been doing for the last few years.”