Burgess set to make Bulls return

Burgess agreed a new contract in June to stay with Bradford until 2011.

Bradford's England forward Sam Burgess has been given the go-ahead to begin his comeback following major surgery.

The 20-year-old was voted Super League young player of the year in 2007 but has not played since injuring his shoulder against Huddersfield in July.

He has been given the all-clear to resume training and may feature in the Bulls' pre-season friendly against Whitehaven on 1 February.

"It's great news for Sam," Bulls coach Steve McNamara told BBC Radio Leeds.

606: DEBATE How big a boost is Burgess' return?

He continued: "Sam's had a great pre-season.

"He's a young boy who loves playing rugby league so when you take that away from him, he's not got much left. That's what he does.

"It's probably helped him keep his feet on the ground and made him realise how quickly some of these things can get taken away from him."

Burgess signed a new contract with the Bulls in June last year that will see him remain at Odsal until the end of the 2011 season.

He made his England debut in the 56-8 win over France, a day after extending his Bradford stay, but his shoulder injury forced him to miss the World Cup in October.

Bradford begin their Super League campaign away at Harlequins on Sunday, 8 February.

McNamara said: "He has been chomping at the bit. He probably won't play in the pre-season game at Dewsbury (on Sunday), but he should certainly figure at Whitehaven."