John Bateman has been given a ringing endorsement by England captain Kevin Sinfield as he prepares to make his first-team comeback this weekend.

The rising Bulls star is poised to feature in Sunday’s home clash with Hull KR after playing 80 minutes and scoring a hat-trick in the Academy’s 46-16 win at Widnes last Friday.

Bateman, 19, looked in excellent physical condition and seems certain to play some part against Rovers before heading to RAF Cranwell to train with Sinfield and England’s elite training squad.

The Leeds and national team skipper – who met the talented back-rower earlier this year in a meeting arranged by Bulls coach Francis Cummins – believes Bateman is destined for the very top.

“I think John can be anything he wants to be – he’s that good,” said Sinfield, as Bateman prepares to make his first Super League appearance since last August.

“I’ve played against him a few times and he’s got the world at his feet.

“John is fresh-faced, enthusiastic and very keen to learn, so it was really nice to meet him and have a chat during the off-season.

“To spend some time with John means that if I can play the smallest part in his development, then great.

“Yes, he plays for a different club and I know that in those 80 minutes we face each other that it will be a battle.

“But he’s a cracking kid and hopefully I can continue to help him.”

Sinfield made his Super League debut as a 16-year-old against Sheffield in 1997 and has gone on to captain the Rhinos to six Grand Final victories, with five of those coming in the past six seasons.

His career reached a glorious crescendo earlier this year when he was named the winner of the prestigious Golden Boot, awarded annually to the game’s greatest player by Rugby League World magazine.

Despite his achievements in the game, Sinfield believes he can also learn from Bateman.

“I think John and I are very different as individuals but this certainly isn’t a one-way street,” said the long-serving Leeds stand-off.

“There are things I can learn from John. I really enjoyed meeting him, I’ve kept in touch with him since then and will continue to do so.

“I think there are bits you can learn from everybody and John has had to grow up really quickly after becoming a father at 15.

“I’m very respectful of that because, as a father myself, I know how difficult it can be bringing children up.

“John has had to do that as a boy so full credit to him and good luck to him.”

Bateman is expected to head to RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire on Sunday evening – where he will link up with Sinfield and his former England Academy team-mate Stevie Ward.

Like Bateman, Leeds starlet Ward underwent a shoulder operation during the off-season and has also been invited to train with the senior squad.

Sinfield added: “There have been a lot of comparisons between Stevie and John and I think rightly so because they’re both brilliant kids.

“Both have had their shoulders done during the off-season so the comparisons continue even further.

“They’ve both got the world at their feet and I’m delighted they have been invited to train with the senior England squad.”