Steve Crossley is determined to hit the ground running in the new year.

An ankle ligament operation has resulted in a frustrating pre-season for the young prop but a return to action is finally in sight.

Crossley expects to be back in full training next month, keen to prove his first-team credentials to new boss Mick Potter.

“It’s come along really well,” he said. “The operation was November 9 so it’s been a fair few weeks now.

“I’ve nearly got full movement back in the ankle and as soon as we get that, which should be the first week of the new year, I’ll start running again.

“Obviously I’ve missed most of pre-season with the lads but I’ve still had plenty of floggings from the coaching staff and I’m keeping fit.

“I’ve been doing my own training over the break but when I get back I should start running and then hopefully will be ready before the start of the season.”

Crossley’s ankle injury had proved a heart-breaking blow at the tail end of a breakthrough campaign.

After making his debut at Crusaders in June, the 21-year-old went on to make six more appearances from the bench before suffering the setback in a training-ground incident.

He said: “It was a normal training drill when me and Jamie Langley collided. I tried to get back up but I couldn’t.

“(Assistant coach) Lee (St Hilaire) said he knew straight away it was serious because you could hear the snap. It was heart-breaking because I had got into the side and thought I was doing pretty well with what game-time I had.

“I was just getting a bit of momentum going and then this happened, so I wasn’t too happy about it all.

“I’ve not really been down about the injury though. We’ve got a new head coach and new players so all that gets you through it because it feels like a new era at the club. Everyone is up for it.”

Yet to experience victory with the Bulls, having missed out on the win against Wakefield late last season, Crossley still feels he is a better player for the experience gained in 2010.

But a shot at further first-team action won’t come easy next year, with a host of talented props stood in his way.

Crossley said: “Last year I got a good idea of what Super League is all about but, with the size of the squad, I’ve got a lot of work to do if I’m going to get my chance.

“There’s a lot of choice at prop. You’ve got Lynchy (Andy Lynch) who’s an absolute workaholic, Scruts (Nick Scruton) is the aggressor, Bryn (Hargreaves) is another who will work all day long and Koppy (Craig Kopczak) has made big steps over the past year.

“Then there are the youngsters like Tom Burgess, who’s been ripping it up in training so far.”