RYAN Bailey says he feels ready for a Super League call-up with Warrington Wolves.

The 31-year-old, a surprise close-season signing, featured for 42 minutes in his comeback game for Wolves’ reserves against Keighley Cougars at Victoria Park Stadium on Saturday.

Hat-trick scorer Toby King, playing at stand off, and Wales international Ben Evans also made successful returns in Stuart Barrow’s side.

Bailey has not played in Super League since a substitute appearance for Castleford Tigers against St Helens last June.

It has been a long journey for the former Great Britain and Leeds Rhinos prop to be back in the position of putting his hand up for first-team selection.

Ahead of this season’s start he openly talked about dealing with depression and a recurring injury that has only been correctly diagnosed and treated since joining Wolves.

Bailey went under the knife in late January to solve issues with muscle growth around his Achilles heels, though an infection delayed his return to the field until Saturday when he looked sharp, full of energy and enthusiasm.

“It was good to get back out there and to be playing on two legs again,” said Bailey, who powered over for a second-half try in the 76-0 win.

“I’ve been playing on one leg for the past two years.

“It was tough after rupturing my Achilles at the pre-season training camp, then there was the infection. Recovery and rehab can be a lonely road at times.

“But I felt good out there, I was like a spring chicken. Super League games are a different intensity, of course, but I wasn’t blowing to get my breath so that’s good.”

Bailey won six Grand Finals, three World Club Challenges, two League Leaders’ Shields and a Challenge Cup during 13 seasons with Leeds Rhinos, before his moves to Hull KR and then Castleford in 2015 fell flat.

Now he awaits the nod from Wolves’ head of coaching and rugby Tony Smith, who last selected him in club rugby for Leeds Rhinos’ Grand Final win over St Helens at Old Trafford in 2007.