Heart attack victim Adrian Purtell is closing in on the comeback he feared he would never have.
But first the Bradford Bulls centre has another important task – devoting himself to helping other heart patients.
The Aussie, 28, will be named as an ambassador for Heart Research UK today. Purtell says it will be a pleasure after coming so close to having his life ripped apart by his own problems last May.
He said: "I was so lucky because the club doctor spotted the signs as we returned home on the coach after a game against Leeds. "It started off with what I thought was heartburn and then it developed into the worst pain I have ever felt.
"I thought it was severe dehydration because it was a very hot day. I was very shocked when they said I'd had a heart attack." Purtell spent three days in hospital and underwent an emergency operation.
He had to wait seven months before getting the news he would eventually be able to play again. And now that comeback is just weeks away, if his heart specialist gives him the green light. He said: "I come off some of the medication on March 5 and then see the doctor and hopefully then I'll be ready to go.
"I'm going to appreciate the opportunity to play professional sport again. "I'd had the mentality of hoping for the best but preparing for the worst, so it is tremendous to be back."
Purtell has been training but cannot do full contact work until he comes off the blood-thinning medication. He said: "There is some scarring where the blood was cut off but my heart now functions like a normal heart.
"I've been pushing myself hard in training and I'm confi dent I'll be ready to go when told I can. I am trying not to think about my first game back until it happens."
Bulls coach Francis Cummins said: "We weren't even sure whether he would be able to live a normal life, let alone play again."