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(Image: Twitter: @JackBussey)

The Toronto Wolfpack star was dealt the devastating news, out of the blue, a few weeks ago.

Bussey, 24, had emergency surgery last month and was told a few days ago that it had been a success, with all the cancer removed.

And amazingly he celebrated by playing for Toronto in their 66-0 League One win over South Wales Ironmen on Saturday.

But the ex-Featherstone and London Broncos loose-forward admits he loved every minute of his comeback after suffering a traumatic few weeks.

He said: “About six weeks ago I had a viral infection and went to the doctor who sent me for an ultra sound scan because my glands were up on the right side.

“I was then told there was a low chance it was cancerous but I was quietly confident because I’m a 24-year-old fit guy and you never think it will happen to you.

“They did a biopsy and I then got a telephone call asking me to go in so I immediately thought something wasn’t right.

“I was told ‘There’s a high percentage chance it’s cancerous’ and as soon as I heard that word I thought the worst.

“It wasn’t sinking in what they were telling me because I was just thinking am I going to die and is my career over?’”

Bussey didn’t tell either his girlfriend or his mum because he didn’t want to worry them and bottled up the news until he got to training.

He said: “I told one of the physios and broke down and cried. After a long chat with the medical staff I began to accept that it was cancer.”

Bussey, who only told his mum after he got the all clear, had surgery on May 12 and flew out to join the Wolfpack at their Toronto base a few days later.

He said: “I rested that first week and then started doing some weights and running and the support I got was fantastic.

“I cannot speak highly enough of the support network at Toronto. It’s a family environment and they’ve all helped me so much.”

The team returned to England early last week and Bussey was told on Wednesday that it was definitely cancer but that surgery had removed it all.

He said: “I started training with the team again on Thursday and played on Saturday and felt good enough to play 50 minutes.

“I was a little nervous because I’ve got a three-and-a-half inch scar across my throat, but my neck felt okay and I didn’t feel tired.”