James Donaldson has given the Bulls a massive boost after revealing his recovery is progressing far quicker than he anticipated.

The highly-regarded back-rower injured his right knee during the win at Castleford on February 12 and a specialist revealed he had ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament.

He was initially ruled out for six months and had targeted a potential return in August, but his rapid progress has encouraged hopes that he could return sooner.

“I can’t see why it can’t be in the next few months,” said the 20-year-old Cumbrian. “I’m very positive about things and I can’t wait to get back out on the field.

“It’s been about eight weeks since my operation and things are picking up a lot faster than we originally thought they would.

“I’m back in the game – I’m swimming, biking and I even started running last week.”

Donaldson suffered the same injury to his left knee during Bradford’s Challenge Cup quarter-final defeat by Warrington in May 2010.

He underwent surgery at the hands of Steve Bollen at the Yorkshire Clinic before embarking on another lengthy period of rehabilitation.

“To be honest, it seems so easy compared to last time,” explained Donaldson, who had shown glimpses of his best form before his latest injury setback.

“Last time I did my medial and anterior cruciate but this time it’s only my anterior cruciate, so I know where I am with it.

“The physios at the club have been working with me non-stop for six days a week.

“I’ve just been smashing it and it’s come on leaps and bounds.

“I can’t put a date on when I might return but I’m going to see Steve Bollen on May 1 and hopefully I can progress things from there. That would be awesome.”

The Whitehaven-born forward, who made his Bulls debut against Castleford aged just 17 years and 294 days, is out of contract at the end of the year.

But the uncertainty surrounding the Bulls has made negotiations with players all but impossible.

“I’ve spoken to the club but obviously they’re not in a position at the moment to negotiate contracts and things like that due to the current situation,” said Donaldson.

“The main thing for me is to just get back out on the field before I worry about anything else. That’s my main focus.”

Donaldson has been a regular spectator at home and away games this season and says he has been left delighted with the Bulls’ recent form.

He added: “The lads have been doing outstandingly well.

“Despite some tough results at the start of the season, and everything that has gone on recently, the lads have dug deep.

“Everyone seems so close-knit and it makes so much difference on the field when you tight off the field, as we are.”

Meanwhile, Adrian Purtell is set to miss Saturday’s Challenge Cup tie at Warrington after picking up a hamstring strain during the defeat to Huddersfield.