Bulls youngster James Donaldson hopes a dose of country life will help ease the pain of a season-ending injury.

After snapping cruciate ligaments in last month’s Challenge Cup defeat against Warrington, the 18-year-old back-rower started on the long road to recovery by heading back to his Cumbrian roots.

Given time off by the club ahead of reconstructive surgery next month, Donaldson has opted for rest and recuperation at his parents’ farm in Cleator Moor, near Whitehaven.

Having moved to Yorkshire at the age of 16, he is relishing the chance for some valuable family time – especially with elder brother Craig, who is still recovering himself after breaking his neck in a tragic accident early last year.

“The club have given me a few weeks off so I’m just going to chill out at home and spend time with my family because I don’t get a lot of chance to do that,” said Donaldson.

“With my brother’s accident, he can’t do a lot either, so it’ll be good to spend some time with him.

“During the season my mum comes down to watch my games every week but my dad is working on the farm so he doesn’t get the chance to see me. He won’t get me doing any work on the farm though – I’ll just watch!”

The change in scenery was exactly what the former Wath Brow Hornets junior needed to take his mind off the pain of having his first full season as a Bulls regular cut short.

After snapping both his anterior and medial cruciate ligaments, Donaldson’s leg is currently in a brace and he faces a frustrating wait before going for surgery in five weeks’ time.

“I think I needed to get away because I was around the club for a week or so after the injury but I was probably a bit over enthusiastic,” he said.

“I’m the kind of person who wants to do everything they can to speed the process up, so I must have been doing the medical staff’s heads in. With something like this you just have to be patient.

“I’ve lost a bit of weight since the injury but hopefully I’ll start to put some back on again now.

“I’m going to start working in the gym at Wath Brow, my old amateur club, and then after the operation it’s rehab’ right up until next season. Hopefully my leg will be strong by the time we start again.”

Donaldson’s injury came at the cruellest possible time for both player and club.

The teenage forward collapsed in a heap while making a promising break as the Bulls chased victory late in their clash with Warrington.

Bradford lost possession at a crucial time in the game and then lost Donaldson at an equally vital point in their season, especially as his setback was followed quickly by a season-ending injury for playmaker Matt Orford.

Donaldson said: “I knew before I’d even hit the ground that it was bad. I remember making the break and then trying the left-foot step and then my knee just went from under me.

“While I was on the ground I looked down at it and it was bent and I started to panic a bit. I just started screaming.

“When I got into the changing rooms and the medical staff told me that was probably it for the season, I started to get upset about it.

“I’d just started to get more comfortable with the team and I’d earned a regular place, so it was really tough to take.”

Touted for future England honours, the injury should prove to be a minor blip in Donaldson’s rise to the top.

After breaking into the first team towards the end of last season, the Bulls academy product had this year developed a maturity and consistency of performance that belied his tender years.

A tenacious ball carrier and accomplished defender, with impressive tackle technique, Donaldson’s ball-handling is also constantly improving and he should be a fixture in the Bradford back row for years to come.

He said: “I’ve made a lot of progress but I’ve still got a lot more to go. I’ll have a long pre-season so I should be well prepared to kick on next year. I’ll be back even stronger than before.”