JIMMY Lowes is “gutted” with the axing of Steve McNamara and is unsure whether he will be given the chance to work under new England boss Wayne Bennett.

McNamara had been in charge of the national team since 2010 but his contract expired after the Test series win over New Zealand last autumn and was not renewed.

The RFL have instead turned to legendary Australian Bennett to guide the team into the Four Nations later this year and the 2017 World Cup.

The 66-year-old last week agreed a two-year deal which covers both tournaments and Lowes, who assisted former Bradford team-mate McNamara during last year’s series win against the Kiwis, is disappointed with the change in regime.

Lowes said: “I’m pretty gutted about it and I’m just very surprised that they have made the change now.

“They will have their reasons for doing that, but I’m gutted for Steve because he’s worked hard to get them to that point with a very successful series against the Kiwis.

“I really enjoyed working with Steve back in the England set-up but, as for the future, I have no idea what’s going to happen with Wayne Bennett.

“We will just wait and see but I don’t know Wayne Bennett and I’ve never met him.

“He might just want a big clear-out and bring in all his own people anyway. At the moment I feel flat and gutted for Steve.”

Meanwhile, former Bulls winger Jamie Foster has begun a trial with Huddersfield Giants as he bids to reignite his career.

The St Helens product has spent over a year out of the game since Lowes showed him the door at the end of the disastrous 2014 campaign which saw Bradford relegated to the Championship.