After a long recovery, Niculae finally returned to regular first team action in the match against Leixões, scoring Sporting's second in a 5–1 win in the Portuguese supercup. He did not find the net again until November when he scored in a 2–0 home win over Marítimo and a 3–1 away win over Beira-Mar. He also scored his first goal for Sporting in the Portuguese Cup in a 4–1 away win against Estarreja. On 10 December 2002, he broke his toe in practice leading to a six-week absence. He returned on the field on 2 February 2003, in a 4–0 home win against Paços de Ferreira, coming off the bench in the 73rd minute to assist Mario Jardel's third goal and Sporting's fourth. Three days later he netted his team's only goal in a 1–0 victory against Académica Coimbra. On 17 May, during a game against Nacional Madeira, Niculae fractured his fifth metatarsal bone in his right foot, leading to another long-term break off the field. He ended third in the league with his team, netting three goals in 17 appearances.