Gaskell is raring to go after surgery

“I’m on my seventh week now, so by the end of this week or the start of next week I’ll be catching some balls and getting into fullcontact again.

“I can still go out and do all the tough stuff, but not the good stuff like playing in the mini-games.”

Gaskell returns having been handed the No6 shirt by head coach Rick Stone, which would hint he will be operating mainly from half back next term, but for now is concentrating on pre-season work.

“Pre-season has been tough, I’ve still got all the running to do but I’ll be back into full-training, so I’m looking forward to getting back onto the field with the lads and practice,” he added.

“I’ve got used to what pre-season is like but maybe for a few of the young lads it’s a bit more intimidating, but after a couple of weeks they find their feet and it just comes naturally.

“The younger lads have been going well.

“They’ve come in a bit shy and might be a bit intimidated but we’re all good people at this club and we’re making them feel welcome, so they’re fitting in really well.

“Pre-season is tough but it’s like that in any professional sport, if you don’t put in the hard work then next season will be tough so, we know that if you work hard in this pre-season then it’ll pay off.”

And Gaskell is happy to be back at work and said: “It’s good seeing the boys again. It’s nice having some time off to see your family but it’s good to be back and the time before Christmas is a big period for the club.

“We’ve still got a few players away on international duty but as soon as they come back hopefully we’ll be up to scratch and our fitness levels will be good, so it’s an important time at the moment.”

And the break has been helped