Unfortunate Chris Feather has resigned himself to missing the start of Super League XIII.

The Bulls prop has suffered a setback in his rehab from a post-season back operation and is unlikely to return to action until late next month.

Feather - who is also recovering from a dislocated shoulder - explained: "It's my back that's causing the issue.

"I'm waiting for it to heal up fully and can't run at all until the back end of January.

"But it feels good and as soon as I can run again I can do everything else no problem.

"I'm doing weights now and that's fine but it'll probably be round three before I play."

Feather will sit out the opener at former club Wakefield and Bradford's home derby with Hudders-field before possibly being available to return against St Helens on February 22.

The towering front-rower had been planning a big start to the year after seeing 2007 blighted by injury.

Former Leeds forward Feather, 26, broke his ankle mid-summer before suffering that painful shoulder dislocation in the play-off defeat against Wigan.

"It is annoying to be told I'll miss the first couple of games but at least I know everything will be right when I do return," said Feather.

"The shoulder's fine and there's no problems with that. I go to see the surgeon about my back when we return from Lanzarote.

"He's told me as soon as he thinks it's healed he'll be happy for me to do a bungee jump if needed."

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