Alex Mellor is ready to “prove himself” an important part of Leeds Rhinos’ team again as he prepares to return to action.
The second-rower was severely concussed after being hurt in a tackle with Mike McMeeken during the early stages of Leeds’ home defeat to Catalans Dragons on February 24.
His neck was put in a brace and he was taken to hospital to undergo scans amid fears he could have suffered a serious injury.
The former Bradford Bulls and Huddersfield Giants star was thankfully given the all-clear and could feature in Thursday’s visit of Hull FC.
Mellor was left out of the opening-day defeat to Warrington Wolves but featured in a heavy loss to Wigan Warriors in round two before being struck down by injury against Catalans.
Richard Agar’s side finally kickstarted their campaign with a victory at Wakefield Trinity last week and Mellor told Rugby League Live: “It was great to see the lads win because it’s not been the greatest start to the season.
“We’ve had some performances which haven’t been up to standard, which is more upsetting than losing really.
“For me personally, I feel I’ve got a lot to prove.
“I’ve had a couple of things not go my way injury-wise but I feel I’ve got a lot more to give.
“It’s just about getting that chance and I’m not bothered where I play.
“As long as I can look myself in the mirror after I’ve had that chance and can say ‘you’ve given it your all’ then I’ll be happy.
“If that’s not good enough and the boys are playing too well in my position then fair enough, but I’ll certainly give it my all whenever I get my chance.
“It’s rugby league, so sometimes you get your chance through injuries, illnesses or suspensions.
“It doesn’t really matter how your chance comes – it’s about what you do with it.”
Mellor had worn number the eleven jersey during his first two years at Headingley arriving from Huddersfield.
But after James Bentley arrived from defending champions St Helens during the off-season, the new recruit was handed that number and Mellor was given number 15.
Yet the former England Academy international declared: “I know that I can play to a consistently high level.
“I think I did that last year, so it’s about rediscovering that form and even going to the next level.
“There are certain things in my game that I know I can do a little bit better.
“Hopefully that can make me into an even better player this year.
“We’re a very close-knit squad and I think you know that because people have very honest conversations with you.
“The true test of that is when someone has not done something right in training.
“Have we got that sort of environment where someone can say ‘look that’s not good enough?’ and not take offence to it?
“That’s the test of how close your group is and we can pull each other up, which proves to me that we have a close-knit team.
“You could see when Rhyse Martin lost his father how close we were because every single player got behind him.
“That unity certainly bodes well for the challenges which lie ahead.”
Mellor is hoping to feature against a Hull side who got turned over by Castleford Tigers on Sunday.
He added: “I think Hull are one of those sides who, even when they’re not playing well, can find a way to win because they have got such a big middle unit.
“If you’re not on your game, they can roll you downfield so we’ve got to put our best foot forwards to make sure we’re not on the back foot.
“If it’s us on the front foot, then it becomes a different story.”
