CHEV Walker has spoken of his desire to play on next season as he waits to discover if he will be offered a new deal.

The Bulls' club captain has made just seven appearances this year due to injury but has returned to action in the past two games.

The 32-year-old has featured off the bench against Batley and Featherstone and admits he would love to stay at Odsal beyond the end of his current one-year deal.

Walker, who made his debut for Leeds as a 16-year-old in August 1999, said: "I don't know what the decision will be and I don't really know where the club are on that.

"Every player wants to play forever and I've probably not had enough game-time to prove that I'm able to go round again. But I've got a job to do this year and that's all I'm concentrating on.

"As it stands, I've just got to get this season done and make sure that we get Bradford back to where we need to be. That comes with buying into Jimmy (Lowes' philosophy) and helping him to achieve that.

"I've still got a hunger to play and to train and as long as you've got that hunger, then you give yourselves a chance."

The Bulls will only know what division they will be playing in next season at the end of the promotion-deciding middle eights.

But Walker insisted: "I just want to play, regardless of whether we are in the Championship or Super League.

"It might not be right for the club because if we go up then they might need to bring in some new faces and some younger players.

"If that's the case, then I respect the club enough to accept that. I would probably have to make a really big decision on myself then as to whether to call it a day or go somewhere else."

Although he assists Bulls under-16s coach Leigh Beattie, Walker is more focused on becoming a professional sports nutritionist.

He explained: "I've never really thought about going into coaching, to be honest. I'm doing a nutrition degree at the moment and a few opportunities have been offered to me in this area at other clubs.

"Over the last two years, I've been working towards becoming a qualified nutritionist. It plays a big part in how I prepare for games and I just think rugby league is probably a bit behind on that front, compared to other sports.

"I would love to stay within the game doing that but if not then I might have to spread my wings and try and apply it in another sport. That's the aim. At the end of my degree I've got the option to top it up to a masters at Liverpool John Moores University.

"That's probably where I'm heading with off-field matters – but right now my main concern is performing well in the middle eights and gaining promotion for Bradford."

Walker admits the Bulls have yet to fully prove they have what it takes to compete against Super League sides and win promotion via the middle eights.

They went toe to toe against Hull KR for an hour in the Challenge Cup earlier this season before eventually losing 50-30.

Walker said: "We've showed that we can attack but we still had a boatload of points scored against us in that game.

"There were points in that match where we slipped up and it's still happening in games now. We just need to iron them out.

"But it's not about complacency or a lack of effort, not at all, because we're not that kind of team. I just think that we need to find a way of getting that ruthless edge.

"It might not come but if we can't get that ruthless edge, then we need to be more professional."