BULLS might have been suffering on the pitch of late, but just imagine the pain of Elliot Hall.

The full-back was full of excitement after signing from Batley in the off-season, but picked up a hamstring injury on the eve of what should have been his first game, the friendly against Hull.

But almost six weeks on, he is back in training, and is eyeing up a return for either Bulls’ reserves game against Leeds Rhinos on Saturday, or maybe even the first-team’s Challenge Cup tie on Sunday at London Broncos.

Hall, who spoke to the T&A last night ahead of his first full training session since the injury, admitted: “It’s not been the start I’d hoped for.

“I didn’t get chance to play in pre-season, which was unfortunate, but while I don’t want to jinx anything, I’m hoping to feature in some capacity this weekend, either against Leeds or London.

“I’m looking forward to it. It’s nice to be back training again, after having to go through a load of conditioning, and I hope what I can do in practice is reflected on the pitch.”

Hall added: “I got injured last pre-season at Batley too, but I did well in my first game back.

“So for it to happen again has made me eager and enthusiastic to show what I can do, hopefully this weekend.”

With Elliot Kear having suffered injury problems too, and winger Ryan Millar finding it difficult when filling in there, the full-back position still seems up for grabs.

Asked if Bulls’ struggles there had helped his cause, Hall insisted: “I just want the team to do well ultimately.

“It’s good just to train properly again, and then if I’m called upon, I’m confident in my ability to do well.

“Now I’m back, I’m looking to make an impression.”

Hall would love that first impression to come on Sunday against the Broncos, and he said: “It’s an exciting, historic cup competition.

“It’s even more important to win our first two games, as that puts us in the 1895 Cup, and our main goal is to try and win that.

“The team is really up for it on Sunday too because we want a reaction after the Leigh defeat and to get back to it after the disappointment of our game with Barrow being postponed.”

Hall also works in Bulls’ marketing department, so he has spent plenty of time around the club of late, despite being injured.

But the full-back said: “Being here off the field means I’ve stayed in touch with everyone.

“But I love playing, and in a way it’s been harder, because with me being around, people have kept asking when I’m back, and it’s hard to give a time frame with a hamstring injury

“I think it was a Grade 2 hamstring tear, but I was only out for six weeks, so it wasn’t as bad as it could have been.

“I’ve tried to stay positive and now I’m back, I’m looking to get my Bulls career off to a good start.”