Nick Scruton wants to follow in the Giants’ footsteps after pledging his future at Odsal until 2014.

The England prop, who was out of contract at the end of the season, has penned a new three-year contract with the Bulls.

And he immediately set his sights on emulating the success of Huddersfield in that time.

Scruton is yet to taste play-off rugby since leaving Leeds Rhinos before the start of the 2009 campaign but he believes the revamped Bulls could have what it takes to match the strides being made by the Giants.

He said: “I think Huddersfield have shown the way. They’ve come from a side that were just hovering around the play-offs to becoming a real contender.

“Hopefully over the next three years that’s where we need to be in that top four.

“This season we’re just trying to get better week by week and see where that takes us.

“But we’re a good side and if we’re not in the play-offs then there’s something wrong. That’s got to be the short-term goal.”

Coach Mick Potter is convinced the experienced Scruton, who made his 60th Bulls outing against St Helens on Friday, will play a key role in that progress.

He said: “Nick’s an important player for the club and he’ll be moving into the best part of his career.

“As a front-rower, I think the best is yet to come from Nick. I’m very happy he’s going to stay at the Bulls and he will be a good player for a long time.”

Scruton was delighted to get his own position settled so soon into the campaign.

“It takes a massive weight off my shoulders,” admitted the 27-year-old. “Now I can go and enjoy my rugby. It always plays at the back of your mind that you might get injured and what would happen. But it’s done and dusted.

“There was never really a question of me going anywhere else because I love it at Bradford, especially now under Mick. I think we’re going in the right direction.”

And Scruton can already see promising signs.

“It’s been a different club every year I’ve been here with the wholesale changes. But this year I think it was for the better.

“Mick’s got the team he wants and hopefully you’ll see us gel over the next few years and become a side to be reckoned with.”

* Bulls duo Vinnie Finigan and Jason Crookes, who are playing on a dual registration with Sheffield, both scored tries to help the Eagles to a 34-16 victory over Toulouse in the Co-operative Championship.