Crusaders backrower Andy Bracek is hoping to return to action in around six weeks as he continues his recovery from injury.
Light at the end of the tunnel for injured Bracek
Crusaders backrower Andy Bracek is hoping to return to action in around six weeks as he continues his recovery from a serious knee injury.
The Welsh international also insists he will be forever indebted to the club, who gave him an 18-month contract in March following his release from Barrow.
Bracek feared for his rugby league future in the sport due to his injury and even took a job as a labourer to help support his family before Crusaders head coach Iestyn Harris took a chance on him.
The former St Helens and Warrington player, who worked under Harris when in the Welsh national side, is now eager to repay the club.
Road to recovery
"My recovery is going well," said the 24-year-old.
"I'm hoping to be putting my hand up in six weeks but a lot of that depends on when I get the OK from the medical staff.
"That is only part of the battle because I then have to force my way into the team. It doesn't give me a lot of time to get some games under my belt but I am confident I can do it.
"I cannot wait to get back playing. I've gone through a lot of emotions since I've been out and it has been one of the most difficult periods of my life.
"I've got a young family and I was in a pretty bad place at the start of the year. I didn't have a club and no-one would touch me because of my injury.
"I'd gone from earning a good wage at Barrow to wondering where my next paycheck was coming from. I was doing a bit of labouring to get some money and support my family.
Rescue
"Crusaders came to my rescue so to speak. They took a chance on me when no-one else would and really looked after me when times were tough.
"Everything is going well at the moment and I'm grateful to the club for giving me another crack at Super League. I'm taking this opportunity with both hands and I'm going to make the most of it. I want to repay the faith all the people at the Crusaders have shown in me.
"I've also been a bit smarter off the field. Being out for so long has made me appreciate how lucky I am to play rugby league professional. I've been doing a professional trainers course as well while I'm here so I've got something to fall back on.
"A rugby league player's career is short to it's important that you start to think about life outside the sport."
While he continues his recovery, Bracek has also become part of the Crusaders community coaching staff, which will see him delivering rugby league in local schools and running the club's touch rugby sessions at Queensway.
