Steve McNamara will hope his prophecy doesn't come true when Ryan Atkins lines up against the Bulls in Wakefield colours.

When the boss watched young centre Atkins leave for Bradford's Super League rivals in April - one of his first tasks after taking over from Brian Noble - he admitted the talented player could come back and bite them on the backside.

McNamara wasn't worried about allowing front-rower Adam Watene to make the same switch. The 28-year-old prop had failed to impress, despite getting a glorious chance of Super League action with the champions, and he was cut loose without a second thought.

That decision was vindicated, especially given the subsequent form of teenage props Matt James, Craig Kopczak and Sam Burgess.

But Atkins was a different entity. He was still only 20, had been the stand-out performer during pre-season after a prolific campaign in the Senior Academy and looked more than ready to step up if needed.

Fast, powerful, athletic, a fiery defender; the former Bramley Phoenix RU player had all the assets to build on a solitary senior appearance in the Challenge Cup at Featherstone last season.

There were two slight problems though - Kiwi superstar Shontayne Hape and Aussie rock Ben Harris.

Atkins recalls: "Obviously Steve did what he did because he felt it was right for the club at the time and also for me.

"I wasn't getting played - there was no need to play me when you've got Shontayne Hape and Ben Harris - and it was the best thing all round.

"I don't hold any grudges to Bradford. I actually thank them for being honest and letting me go to get first-team experience. For me, moving to Wakefield has been the best move ever."

With that centre duo and the likes of Karl Pryce waiting in the wings, Atkins was always going to be on the fringes at Grattan Stadium.

But after a loan spell at the Wildcats, he joined on a permanent basis for £10,000 in April and has gone on to become one of the finds of the season.

Atkins has played in all 12 games since, effortlessly making the step up to Super League and scoring some stunning tries - six at the last count - including a long-range belter against Leeds at Headingley.

He said: "It's all coming off the forwards. When you are playing outside David Solomona, who I rate as one of the best back-rowers in the world, it makes it so much easier for me to do the job.

"The difference from playing 21s to Super League is a massive step up. The pace of the game and strength of the players is hard really to explain to anyone.

"But the lads at Wakefield have been behind me 100 per cent and the coaching staff have all said they have confidence in me.

"I was nervous at first but when you have Kiwi and England internationals backing you, you must be good enough. In my first game against Cas, I got a try and we got the win. That was just unbelievable and I've just taken it from there."

Most youngsters would be gutted after getting rejected by the Bulls but Atkins has made the most of his subsequent opportunity and showing McNamara was right to be wary of the sting in his tail.

Now Bradford have to go to Belle Vue and Atkins is looking for another stellar performance against his old mates - and in front of the glare of the live television cameras.

"As soon as I put pen to paper with Wakefield, I was looking forward to this game," he admits.

"I do have a point to prove but more to myself than to Bradford. They put a lot of time and effort into me as an Academy player.

"I told Macca I didn't want to go when I came back from my loan spell at Wakefield but he explained there'd be no guaranteed spot there and in the end it has worked out for the best. But now I do want to show I am a good Super League player."

The pressure is on for the Wildcats as they bid to escape the drop but Atkins maintains they aren't running scared, despite losing the massive clash with relegation rivals Wigan a fortnight ago and then tossing away a 20-point lead at Huddersfield.

"All our games are important now but Wigan wasn't the be all and end all, just like Huddersfield wasn't a matter of life and death last week," he said.

"Bradford is the same. The mood in the camp is good and I think our attack is one of the best in Super League. Every now and again our defence lets us down and that's what we have to sort."

Atkins' tackling will have to be on top form as he faces Hape tomorrow but he says: "I'm not too bothered.

"Shontayne's a great player but I'm just hoping Les (Vainikolo) has a problem with his knee again and he misses out!"