SHAUN Ainscough says the Bulls will always hold a special place in his heart but admits he would love to beat them this weekend.

The Batley star, a popular figure at Odsal after a two-year stay between 2011 and 2012, will make his first return there on Sunday.

The match has taken on added importance for both teams as Bradford are under pressure to produce an improved performance and Batley are desperate for victory as they battle against relegation.

John Kear’s men lie second bottom of the Championship table and Ainscough knows they must start winning pretty quickly if they are to avoid the drop.

Batley ran the Bulls agonisingly close earlier this year and Ainscough said: “That was gutting and we’ve had a few games like that where we have come close and not got the win.

“We are doing it hard at the minute so it would be good to go there and get a win – we certainly need one.

“If they awarded losing bonus points we would have picked one up in most games as we haven’t lost by many.

“I’ve not been back to Bradford since I left.

“Will it be emotional? It’s just like any other game but I’m playing against my old club.

“The Bulls fans were great last time I came out at Batley and hopefully I’ll get another good reception.

“If we come away with a win, though, I don’t think they will be cheering me!”

Signed by Mick Potter from Wigan ahead of the 2012 campaign, Ainscough endured an injury-disrupted first season at Odsal but his second was far more successful.

He scored 11 tries, including hat-tricks against Castleford and Doncaster, as the Bulls showed remarkable spirit on the field with the club in crisis off it.

Nothing better symbolised the campaign than the night they went to Wigan and won – a sweet moment for Ainscough after he had been discarded by his hometown club.

After the 30-22 success, Ainscough peeled off his shirt to reveal a vest with the words ‘Save our Bulls’ written on it.

It said much for his depth of feeling for the club and he admits the Bulls will always hold a special place in his heart.

Ainscough remembered: “My favourite game at Odsal was when we beat Castleford in June 2012 and I scored a hat-trick.

“The game was live on Sky and I look back at that night with fond memories.

“The famous win away to Wigan was another highlight of my time at Bradford.

“It would be great to win at Bradford this weekend, but nothing could top the feeling of beating Wigan that night.”

Ainscough left Bradford at the end of the 2012 and, after a year playing in Australia, spent a season at Whitehaven before joining Batley ahead of the current campaign.

He got married to his long-term partner Lauren in Scotland last month and the couple, who have two sons Archie and Freddie, are set for another baby boy later this year.

Ainscough combines his rugby commitments with working in a gym in Wigan and at a joinery firm owned by his club sponsor at Batley.

He is likely to line up at full back on Sunday and added: “I normally spent two or three days in the gym at Batley or two or three days with my sponsor in Batley. It’s hard at the minute because I’m never at home.”

He still dreams of a return to full-time rugby and said: “You don’t give up on anything but you go where you’re wanted and what you think is the best option at the time.

“All you can do is keep going and see where it takes you.”