Fit-again Lesley Vainikolo is confident he has seen the worst of his worrying knee injury.

After missing three weeks of action since the World Club Challenge, the Tongan thunderball played his first Super League game of the season on Friday.

Vainikolo completed the full 80 minutes of the win over Salford and suffered no major concerns with the left knee that had been troubling him.

The giant winger was wary of how it would react over the weekend following his first real strenuous test. But he has reported no new ill-affects since.

He trained on Saturday and was due to meet up with the rest of his Bulls team-mates again today.

Having missed two months of action last year, Vainikolo underwent surgery on his right knee during the off season. But, during his rehab, he saw his other knee flare up while training in Lanzarote and, although getting through the Wests Tigers clash, he missed the league games against Wakefield and Harlequins.

However, it is hoped the lingering problem may now be cured - without the need for surgery - and Vainikolo can get back to terrorising Super League defences.

"Both legs are holding up really well," said Vainikolo. "It was just the last ten minutes against Salford when it started to stiffen up a bit but apart from that it was all right.

"That's just the way it is. I've got to take it bit by bit but I blew off the

cobwebs and then just got home Friday night and iced up. I feel ready to rumble again!"

Although not getting on the scoresheet in the 34-4 triumph, the 26-year-old set up Shontayne Hape for a try, enjoyed a few rumbling runs and put in a couple of big tackles.

Now he is looking to step up his match fitness with the Bulls' inaugural trip to Les Catalans on Saturday.

"Salford was a massive improvement and that's what we wanted after Harlequins," he added.

"But we want to continue to improve each week and that's what we're

aiming for in France."