Iestyn Harris will make a surprise comeback on Sunday - nearly a month ahead of schedule.

The Bulls stand-off feared missing the start of Super League XII, having undergone major knee surgery last October.

He was told he probably would not make the February 11 kick-off and may have to sit out the opening two rounds.

However, hard-working Harris has defied the odds and will feature in their second pre-season friendly at Hull KR this weekend.

The former Great Britain star continually beat deadlines during his battle for fitness and had recently mentioned the run-out at Keighley on February 2 as a potential return date.

But having today completed a full week's intensive training in Lanzarote, boss Steve McNamara believes his key playmaker is already good to go.

With half-back partner Paul Deacon still nursing his own knee injury, the news is certainly welcome but McNamara said: "To me, it's not really a relief as such.

"That's because the expectation from Iestyn was that he always would be fit.

"He felt he could get back early and the way he has worked so hard, both originally to recover from the actual injury and then since to get his fitness right, has been fantastic.

"He's done really well, never let up and, after all the work he's put in, he is now getting the rewards by playing at Hull.

"Iestyn flew into training in Lanzarote, had no setbacks whatsoever and is very confident. He's not injured at all now and it'll be good to see him out there on Sunday."

Harris, who makes his first appearance since losing the captaincy to Deacon last week, will be partnered by hooker Ian Henderson at half-back.

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