YORK KNIGHTS skipper Liam Harris says he’s never been fitter as he closes in on a long-awaited return to action.
The influential scrum-half has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury against Keighley Cougars in mid-March.
It meant he’s missed the bulk of the club’s maiden season in Super League.
But Harris, 29, is set to return against Bradford Bulls on Friday.
He told League Express: “I sat down with the consultant and he’d like to have operated.
“But I trust how hard I work. We’ve got a really good team especially [head of performance] Joel Fulford who’s been unbelievable with me one-to-one, every single day.
“I’ve never worked as hard but it’s been good.
“I’m really fit and strong now, probably the best I’ve been in my career.
“Hopefully it was the right decision. We’ll soon see.
“It would have been 16 to 20 weeks after surgery but I’ve managed to get 14 to 16 weeks down to eleven through my rehab. I’m in a good place.”
Having skippered York to promotion, he admits life in the big time hasn’t always been easy.
Harris, who last played in Super League with hometown Hull FC in 2018, conceded: “It’s been a tough start for us.
“We picked up a fair few injuries. Some players are getting quite a bit of experience, which will only be good for them in the long-term.
“But for me it was really disappointing. It has, though, given me a real opportunity to reset and refocus now.
“I played the first four rounds and thought I was just finding my feet and getting up to speed with the game.
“It was disappointing, but I’m probably in better shape now than I was back then.”
And after playing six seasons in the Championship, does he feel he proved his Super League quality in those early fixtures?
Harris said: “A little, but I know I had so much more to show and still do for the remainder of this season.
“I’m excited to prove to myself where I can get to. I wasn’t content but I was alright with where I was at and how I was playing.
“I felt like I was getting better each week. But it’s a really exciting chance for me now.”