Bulls skipper Robbie Paul today goes back under the knife for a further operation on the horrific arm injury that wrecked his 2003 Super League season.

Paul saw a specialist yesterday and was told that he would have to undergo a bone-graft operation as the arm, which he broke in three places in a match against St Helens in August, had not healed as well as originally hoped.

Bone will be taken from his hip and grafted onto the injured arm to assist the healing process. The recovery time for the operation is expected to be three weeks - news that has devastated the Bulls' club captain just as was looking to get back to full fitness and put last season's nightmare behind him.

"This week was the first week back in training and they really flogged us. That's all wasted now," he said. "I'm gutted."

Paul had a host of metal plates and screws inserted in the arm and it was originally thought the injury would put him out for four months, ending his 2003 season.

But the Kiwi international battled back to fitness in time to take his place in the Bulls side for the Grand Final defeat of Wigan.

Coach Brian Noble will be hoping the latest setback is minor as Paul is a likely solution to the problem of filling the retired James Lowes' boots at hooker.