Aussie Michael Withers ran his first steps for a month this week at the start of the long road back to fitness.

The speedy full back is hoping to be back playing in three weeks after recovering fully from his successful groin operation.

Withers, who has scored three tries in his four starts this season, is desperate to be a part of the squad again.

"It is not just about playing again, it is about bonding with the team," said Withers, who flew back home to Australia for three weeks after the op.

"Now I am back here I want to be involved again.

"I went as waterboy on Saturday just to be with the other lads and to be part of the set-up again.

"I miss playing, being laid off is frustrating and I want to get back to fitness as soon as possible to try and fight for my place in the starting line-up.

"Even when I was back home I have kept up with what is going on here and watched the matches on Sky, so I know how we have played.

"It is fantastic that we are riding high up the table at the moment and I am looking forward to being part of that winning team again."

The 25-year-old, man of the match in last year's Grand Final victory, has resumed running and weight training but cannot run at full-pelt just yet.

"It is going to take a lot of work, but I hope to be back and available for selection in about three weeks," he said.

"I am working closely with the coaches, we are taking it one step at a time, there is no point in taking any risks."

Withers has suffered before with an early return, six weeks off with a stress fracture turned into 11 weeks, after returning still not fully fit for one painful match.

Although the Aussie speed sensation knows it will be tough to regain his starting position, he also admits that the Bulls are not yet playing to their full potential - which he thinks is a good thing.

"We are top of the league but we are not playing at anywhere near out best," said Withers, back at the Bulls' Odsal training ground.

"But we shouldn't be at this stage of the season. We don't want to peak too early.

"We haven't managed 80 minutes of top class rugby yet, but we will do it at some point this year - and then we will be awesome.

"After losing to Warrington last year, we came back and played our best consistently, something like that will happen again this year.

"The Bulls at full-strength will be awesome, and it us just a matter of time before we get there again."