WHEN Harry Siejka fractured his tibia late last month it came at a time when his Bradford team-mates were on a roll. Now as they continue to fight for promotion back to the English Super League competition, the Bathurst talent is plotting his return.

In his first year with the Bulls, the 23-year-old had played his way into good form as his partnership in the halves with Lee Gaskell was starting to flourish.

But after being forced to leave the field when his side beat the London Broncos last month – a result which their ninth consecutive win at that stage – a dampener was put on Siejka’s season.

He not only fractured his tibia, but sustained ligament damage and required surgery. 

He was initially looking at a return to playing in July, but his recovery has gone well thus far and Siejka is now hoping to be available in June.

Club officials will no doubt love to see an earlier than expected return as they look to gain promotion from the second-tier Championship.

Under changes to the top-two leagues this season, each club will play 23 games in their division before being split into three pools of eight. That competition is known as Super Eights.

Bradford will play another seven games in this competition which gives them a chance to better teams in the 12-club Super League division.

“No-one wants to be injured but I suppose that if I was to get injured, then it’s best to do it at this time. I’m aiming to get back with five or six games to go of the regular season before the Super Eights start,” Siejka told the Telegraph and Argus.

“My ankle injury gives me time to build up my upper body and rest everything else. I’m confident that I’ll get my body right and hopefully Jimmy [coach, Lowes] can keep winning games and find a spot for me at the end of the year.”

Siejka is also hoping that he will be able to find form again quickly once he returns as he looks to extend his time with the Bulls.

He is currently playing under a two-year contract, Bulls officials securing his signature as they saw the former Bathurst Panther as a man who could help them return to Super League.

“I’m really looking forward to what the future holds,” he said.

“Hopefully in the Super Eights I can get a bit of form going and secure a new contract for a long time to come. If there is another contract up for grabs, I wouldn’t think twice about signing.”

A contract extension would see Siejka enjoy a period of stability after switching clubs numerous times in the past two years.

Having made his NRL debut with Penrith after signing a three-year deal as a 16-year-old worth $75,000, Siejka then opted to join the Warriors for 2013 and work under Matt Elliott.

While Siejka had previously played under Elliott and signed a two-year deal with the Warriors, he did not see out his first season with them.

Having not played a single NRL game for the New Zealand club, he was released from his contract early and signed with the Saint George Illawarra Dragons.

He started out with the NSW Cup team the Illawarra Cutters, but injury cut his season short.

Siejka was soon on the move again, signing a one-year deal with English club Wakefield in February last year.

Injury and visa issues meant the halfback saw little time in the Wildcats’ top squad, but Bradford officials saw his potential and signed him up for the 2015-16 seasons.

Coach Lowes offered him the contract and has been a good supporter of Siejka’s so far. The Bathurst product is keen to repay that faith.

“Jimmy’s a great bloke and I enjoy his company, not just as a coach but as a mate as well,” Siejka said.

“He’s awesome for the club and I’m happy to throw my body around because he’s the sort of coach you want to play for, which is pretty rare these days.

“I’ve sort of been second fiddle wherever I’ve played so far – but I’m still only a young fellah, so it’s great to have that backing and I think my best is still to come.

“I’m sure Jimmy is the man to get that out of me and I’m looking forward to really ripping in, doing him proud and repaying the faith he has shown in me.”