JOE Keyes is poised to step up his fitness race for the new Bulls campaign.

The Ireland international has shed the protective knee brace he has been wearing since his injury in the World Cup.

Now the play-maker, who committed his future to Odsal at the end of last season, is keen to build up for the club's first experience of League One.

Keyes, injured just 20 minutes into Ireland's win over Wales last month, is unlikely to be ready in time for the opening friendly against Halifax at Odsal on Boxing Day – but he is optimistic about the recovery process.

He said: "It's going really well. I don't have the brace on any more and I can't wait to return to full running. I want to get back to full fitness as soon as possible.

"I'm really looking forward to the season. It is something new to me playing in this league, so I'm looking forward to seeing what it has in store.

"Hopefully we can have a good year and we can get ourselves back up there as soon as possible."

The Bulls squad are still waiting to discover who will be leading them. An announcement over the new coach is expected either tomorrow or in the next few days.

Whoever takes charge will be challenged to lead the team straight back from the third tier at the first attempt.

But as the side everyone will want to beat, Keyes is wary about some of the dangers awaiting them.

"There are going to be a lot of good teams in this league that we need to watch out for," he said.

"Both York and Hunslet have recruited well and going up to Cumbria is always hard. It's a long journey up there and the teams you come up against will test you physically.

"We are preparing tirelessly for what's coming up so we will be more than ready for what this league has to throw at us."