Bradford’s Australian centre Adrian Purtell has been given the all-clear to resume his rugby league career after suffering a heart attack in May.

The 27-year-old centre collapsed in the aftermath of Bradford’s defeat by Leeds at Manchester’s Etihad Stadium on May 27.

Purtell was told by a London specialist this week that he can start full training and resume playing in early March.

“I felt myself that I’d be okay because I have been doing some training and felt good, but I am not a medical person so it was pretty awesome to get that news from such an eminent specialist,” Purtell said.

“Last year was a tough one for the Bulls but the boys all bonded together and stuck by me and the club has been absolutely tremendous throughout.”

Purtell, formerly with Canberra and Penrith, is 12 months into a three-year contract with the Bulls and was told in early September that his heart had repaired itself well.

Bradford coach Francis Cummins said: “It’s great for us because we have got one of our star players back but, for Adrian, it’s an amazing piece of news because we weren’t even sure whether he would be able to live a normal life, let alone play again.

“It’s almost like having a new player with us and, although he can’t do everything yet, he will be able to start his pre-season now.”