MATTY Blythe has admitted that returning to action for the Bulls marked the end of the toughest period of his career.

The former Warrington man came off the bench in Sunday’s tense win over Dewsbury for his first appearance in Bradford colours since last September.

It marked the end of a nightmare spell on the sidelines with an infection he picked up while battling a long-standing back problem.

An injection was supposed to aid Blythe’s back injury but led to the infection which left him hospitalised and receiving antibiotics through his blood for six weeks.

He had been set for an operation which would have sidelined him until July but was cleared to play in April and recently regained his match fitness with a handful of appearances for Oxford.

The 26-year-old said: “I’ve not really spoken to anyone about it but it was really bad, especially around Christmas time, and got to the point where I couldn’t walk.

“I was in hospital for quite a while and on antibiotics at home through the blood.

“But the boys have been really good with me and so have the club.

“It was unlucky with what happened after I had that injection, but I’m back now playing rugby and I’m glad about that.

“My fitness has been good and I’ve been down to Oxford to see how my back felt and that has pulled up really well.

“I felt really good on Sunday and it was nice to be back in the middle at loose forward, so I really enjoyed it.

“It could have been an easier game but I was happy for us to get the points.”

Blythe, who has played at centre, wing and in the back row for the Bulls, will slot in wherever head coach Jimmy Lowes plays him.

He added: “I’m not really looking at positions, I’m just happy to be fit and playing rugby again, so it’s up to Jimmy wherever he wants to put me.

“I’ve shown throughout my career that I can play in different positions and I’ve got that versatility in me. Wherever Jimmy wants to play I will play.”

Blythe admitted the Bulls were well below par in the 22-18 win over Dewsbury, which marked a 15th straight Championship victory.

He said: “We watched videos through the week and we knew they had dangermen and a really good team.

“They were stubborn and were ready to take their opportunities, which they did well.

“We were 12-0 down but showed good character to come back and I thought that aspect of the game was good. But we need to be a lot better than that.

“We’ll have a tough week in training rectifying the things we’ve done wrong.

“We will be better for it and there are little things we need to put right.

“But the character is there from the boys, especially the middle men, and it’s the usual people who are doing it.

“I’ve not really watched much of Bradford this year, other than in video review, and it was a tough game to come back into on Sunday.

“Every team is going to want to beat us and we said that at the start of the year.

“It doesn’t matter if we’re playing Workington or Leigh – we need to go into every match with a professional attitude.”