In three short months, Danny Sculthorpe slid from the height of happiness to the brink of an unshakeable depression.

The veteran prop signed for the Bulls last November seeking a fresh start but instead caught a jarring glimpse of his career’s end.

During a routine back operation in February, Sculthorpe was struck down by a freak infection that left many wondering whether he would ever don the red, amber and black.

Starting in the spinal column, the infection spread to his blood, causing septicaemia and putting the 30-year-old in a serious condition, unable to even leave his hospital bed.

Denied the chance to lace up his boots, Sculthorpe even found it impossible to watch his new team-mates, emotion overtaking him every time he attempted to switch on the television to catch Bradford in action.

It all threatened to become too much until a turnaround in fortunes finally brought him back from the edge.

Last month, the infection began to clear up and although the former Wakefield star remains under regular observation, he has been given the all-clear to resume training. It could not have come a moment too soon.

Speaking exclusively to the Telegraph & Argus, Sculthorpe said: “Just to be back being able to do some exercise and be back round the boys has really cheered me up because at one point I was worried about getting into a bit of a depression.

“It’s one of those freak things. I had this back problem in 2001 at Wigan and I’ve not had a problem since, despite playing eight years in Super League.

“The infection I got when I had my operation is only the second case the surgeon has seen and he’s been doing the job for 30 years.

“It’s been awful to be cooped up in hospital on a drip. I think I was in hospital for 32 days and I ended up losing 12 kilos. I completely lost my appetite and it’s been really tough.

“I was excited to start playing with Bradford and I was really keen to make an impression as soon as I came here. I’ve made an impression but in the wrong way.”

Throughout his struggles, Sculthorpe has rediscovered an unbounded enthusiasm for the game.

Talking about a potential return to action for Bradford, his voice is filled with the excitement and hunger of a man ten years younger; of a player still searching for their big break in the sport, rather than one preparing to represent his eighth club in a well-travelled 14-year career.

Sculthorpe knows he has plenty to prove, not least to the club who have stood by him throughout a miserable four months and to the fans who have yet to see their new signing in action.

He said: “Steve (McNamara) brought me here for a reason. I want to show the fans the reason why Steve wanted to sign me in the first place.

“The club have been fantastic with me. It was at the back of my mind what could happen but they’ve been great.

“They know it’s nobody’s fault, it’s just been bad luck on my part. I’ll give 120 per cent to get back as soon as I can and play rugby to the best of my ability for Bradford. I can’t wait to do that.

“I spoke to a few of the lads pretty regularly and the coaching staff and just to have them texting and phoning me helped me keep my chin up. They helped keep me going.”

But it was the persistence of Sculthorpe’s most fervent fan that gave him hope, even after hitting rock-bottom.

Three-year-old daughter Ellie has grown impatient at waiting to see her dad in action for his new club and is ready to take her place on the terraces alongside the Bradford faithful.

Sculthorpe said: “She’s really looking forward to seeing me play again. She keeps asking me ‘when are you playing rugby daddy?’ and she’s looking forward to coming to Odsal.

“She used to love going to Huddersfield and she reminds me of different songs they used to play during the games. Every time they come on the radio she says ‘daddy, rugby song’, so it’ll be great to bring her down to watch. She can’t wait.

“I’ve got a young family. I also have a one-year-old son Louis and both he and Ellie came to see me in hospital every day with my wife Natalie.

“My mum and dad were down every day too and I had plenty of visits from my brothers and from friends, so that helped to cheer me up. There’s nothing like being at home though.”

Now, after overcoming possibly the biggest challenge in his professional life, Sculthorpe can start to dream big again – and a Super League play-off challenge is top of his list of priorities.

He said: “I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now. I’ve just started doing an hour on the treadmill, some light upper-body weights and rehab’ work.

“I’m still having antibiotics intravenously and orally every day but I’m off them at the end of June and then I can get into all the contact work, start the wrestling and really knuckle down to the fitness. I’m hoping to get the last five or six league games and then hopefully the play-offs after that.

“The good thing is that once the infection has fully cleared up, the bone will actually be stronger, which means my back will be stronger in the long run. So that’s one plus I suppose. I’ll do everything to prove I’m the player I was and a bit more.”