Leon Pryce has begun contract talks with Bradford Bulls which he hopes will secure his long term future with his hometown club.

The 19-year-old's current deal runs out in December and Pryce admits it's a key moment in his career as he bids to cash in on his international status for the first time.

"I am obviously looking for the best deal I can but there is no way I want to move way from the Bulls," he said. "I am very happy here and hopefully we can sort something out. I am pretty optimistic."

Pryce signed for the Bulls on a four-year deal from amateurs Queensbury and made his senior debut as a 16-year-old at the end of the 1998 Super League season.

In his first full season in Super League in 1999 he was named young player-of-the-year and has also represented England against France, Australia and Russia.

Close season shoulder surgery has kept him sidelined so far this season but he makes his comeback for the Alliance side against Salford at Odsal tonight (7.30).

Coach Brian Noble said: "Leon is obviously a very talented player and the club are keen to secure his future with us. He's already made a big impact on the game and I feel he has even more to offer. At some stage in the next 12 to 18 months I feel we need to move him inside from the wing to a position where he can display his full range of skills."