OLIVER Roberts is aiming to follow in the footsteps of Elliott Whitehead and John Bateman following his move to Huddersfield.

Roberts has been regarded as one of the most promising young back-rowers in the game during the past few seasons.

The 19-year-old from Brighouse, who has represented the England academy side, endured an injury-disrupted 2014 campaign after breaking his leg in the Easter Monday defeat at Wigan.

Yet his pedigree is not in doubt and, when Huddersfield offered him a two-year deal following the Bulls' relegation, he took it.

Roberts has closely followed the impressive rise of Whitehead and Bateman following their moves to Catalan and Wigan respectively.

“I just want to follow in the footsteps of Elliott and John,” said the strapping teenager.

“They were young lads who came through the ranks at Bradford, left their comfort zone and pushed onto something new.

“They were both named in the England train-on squad earlier this season and Elliott has now made the Four Nations squad.

“I speak to them both quite often and John is round at my house on a regular basis.

“Since Elliott left his comfort zone at Bradford, he’s pushed on and played really well – and it’s the same with John. They have been outstanding this season.”

Roberts, a boyhood Bulls fan who joined the club after a two-year stint on the scholarship at Salford, admits the decision to leave Bradford was agonising.

He was settled at Odsal and might have played a key role in helping Jimmy Lowes’ side return to Super League had he stayed put.

Roberts admitted: “It was probably one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made.

“I’ve enjoyed Bradford so much, I’ve absolutely loved it, and there is no doubt they will come straight back up next season.

“I honestly believe that, especially under Jimmy.

“He’s an outstanding coach and, while I only had a short time beneath him, he was superb.”

Roberts became a full-time professional at Odsal along with Curtis Naughton and Sam Wood in October 2012.

He made his Super League debut off the bench at St Helens in June 2013 and featured again at Wigan the following month.

Injury prevented him from playing again that season but he featured against Huddersfield and Widnes in March of this year before what turned out to be his final appearance for the club against Wigan in April.

Roberts is keen to pay tribute to the men who gave him the chance to become a Super League player – ex-Bulls coach Francis Cummins and assistant Lee St Hilaire.

Roberts said: “I’d like to say a massive thanks to Franny and Lee for giving me an opportunity at Bradford in the beginning.

“I must also give a huge thanks to my family – my mum, grandma and granddad, uncle Jim and my cousin, Jobe Murphy, for everything he has done for me.

“When I had my injury, Jobe looked after me and helped me through it because he’s been there himself.”

Roberts accepts that establishing himself in a Huddersfield side which includes several former Bradford players will not be easy.

But he is up for the challenge.

The Giants have put him on a nutrition and home weights programme ahead of the start of pre-season training on November 1.

“I’ve been backed by Huddersfield and they have put their faith in me by taking me on,” said Roberts.

“It’s up to me to make the most of it, train as hard as I can and hopefully get a first-team spot.

“Physically, Huddersfield are one of the biggest teams in Super League and it was a lovely honour and a nice feeling to be wanted by them.

“Brett Ferres is in front of me and he’s an international back-rower who I can learn a lot from.

“There is Eorl Crabtree and players like him. My preferred position is back row but I’ll play anywhere.

“I know a couple of lads there at the moment and they say it’s a fantastic set-up.

“It’s literally ten minutes from my house, if that. It’s just a good club all round – similar to Bradford.

“It’s going to be a challenge but I’ve been given an opportunity and I need to take it with both hands.”