BRADFORD Bulls head coach Mark Dunning was delighted to reward Jansin Turgut with a first-team debut against the Midlands Hurricanes on Sunday, saying there’s no way the back-rower should even be healthy, let alone playing rugby league again.

The former Hull FC and Salford player attempted to take his own life less than four years ago, suffering life-threatening injuries to his legs, spine and face as result.

He was only cleared to return to rugby league 18 months ago, and having spent time in the amateur game and with the Turkish national team, he joined Bulls just two weeks ago.

Dunning felt he was ready to start Sunday’s Challenge Cup win and was rewarded with a steady performance from the 27-year-old.

The Bulls head coach said: “He’s been working really hard.

“Jansin lives in Hull, so he’s been working with a conditioner I know quite well over there.

“Jansin has done all his rehab with him and is just a really good, professional bloke.

“He looks after his health and pays real attention to the small, minor details in in what he's got to do.

“I've got nothing but respect for the fact that he’s got himself healthy and that he’s got himself back on the rugby league field because, after what he's been through, there should be no way he's done either of those things.”

Turgut’s presence will come in handy, with a frustrated Dunning admitting the club will accept upcoming bans for George Roby, Fenton Rogers and Josh Johnson.

He said: “I've had a really good look at the incidents (which all occurred in the defeat to Keighley).

“There are a couple of 50-50 ones, which I think we can put a case together to argue that they're a bit too harsh.

“However, knowing how the system works, you run the risk of then copping an extra ban for the frivolous appeal, so it looks like we'll have to take them all on the chin.”