Chris McKenna will miss the start of Super League XII having undergone a major wrist operation.

The Aussie second-rower made only a brief appearance at the start of the Bulls' first day of pre-season training yesterday. Following a surprise diagnosis, McKenna then went under the knife as his returning team-mates were put through their paces.

Boss Steve McNamara admitted: "It's been a niggling problem for Chris. Saying the injury has been overlooked would be wrong; it was thought it was nothing and he's been pretty tough with it.

"Chris felt it was a strain and never made much of a fuss but it's flared up again and it needed surgery.

"It turns out it is a serious one. He'll be out for 12 weeks and will probably miss the first two or three games."

Players requiring operations normally get them sorted as soon as possible after the end of a season in order to give the best possible chance of recovering in time for the new campaign. However, 32-year-old McKenna and young prop Sam Burgess (shoulder) have had problems in doing this and both will miss the big kick-off in February.

McNamara also has skipper Iestyn Harris (knee), Lesley Vainikolo (knee), Jamie Langley (hernia) and Andy Lynch (ankle) battling for fitness.

He said: "It is a concern. You would love to have a full deck of cards but I'm confident most of them will be back for the season."

New signings Chris Feather, Glenn Morrison and James Evans all reported for duty yesterday - as did Michael Platt, who is due before a tribunal on Tuesday, December 12 to confirm his switch from Castleford.

The full back had been ordered to attend training at The Jungle last week as the two clubs continue to debate whether or not a fee should be paid for his services.