Iestyn Harris is plotting to be on course to fire the Bulls when it matters most - Super League play-offs time.

The experienced stand-off missed last week's win over Wakefield after suffering a fresh hamstring problem, just two games following his return from a frustrating six-week lay-off.

He now admits he pushed too hard to get right for the fixtures at Salford and Bradford's Challenge Cup semi-final, matches where Harris failed to shine and which the Bulls ultimately lost.

They also probably triggered his next hamstring niggle but second time around, as he prepares to return at Craven Park on Sunday, the former Great Britain man is more confident he is ready to make his mark.

"I had a scan on the hamstring and it's only a small tear," Harris confirmed.

"It's manageable. It's nothing really and basically I probably just did come back three weeks early from the original injury.

advertisement "Now is probably the time I should have been coming back.

"I trained on it Thursday and Friday and it felt good."

High-profile Harris has come under fire from some quarters for his performances of late.

However, this is the first time he has endured any sort of prolonged injury since joining mid-2004 and he admits that has been an issue.

The Welshman, who enjoyed some fine performaces earlier in the season, is planning on recapturing his best in time to hit the play-offs running.

The club's final five games and his personal quest for form and fitness starts in East Hull on Sunday.

"I'm the type of player who plays better when playing regularly. I'm no good when it's stop-start," said the 31-year-old.

"I feel like I can do that now and want to get back playing fluently so my form come the play-offs is there or thereabouts.

"There's only five matches to go and so I can get five games under my belt to help do that. Some players can be out for eight, nine or ten weeks and then be flying straightaway. I've never been that way.

"If I've been off I need to be playing regularly to get back up to scratch and that's what I'm looking for between now and the end of the season."

Harris added: "The weather's turning good as well and I'm wanting to take advantage of that. We've had a terrible summer and had to play on some difficult pitches.

"The ground's better now and I'm looking forward to getting out there and getting my best form back."