Bulls flyer Shaun Ainscough has hometown club Wigan firmly in his sights.

The 21-year-old has been sidelined for three months with an ankle injury but is hoping to return in time to face the Warriors on August 19.

A product of Wigan’s academy system, Ainscough spent five years with the club before moving to Bradford last winter and would be gutted to miss out on a return to the DW Stadium.

He said: “I started running last week, so that’s a good thing because I’d not ran in something like 12 or 13 weeks. It felt all right so I’ve started doing some jumping on it.

“I could be back in maybe three or four weeks and I’m trying to push for the Wigan game if I can.

“I’d love to get back against Wigan. That’d be great but if not, it would be the week after maybe.”

Ainscough scored five tries in nine league games for the Bulls before injuring his ankle against Warrington on May 1. Initially, he was expected to spend just six weeks out but when the ligaments failed to heal, the speedy winger was forced to undergo surgery.

The operation, carried out in late June, was a success but Ainscough only dropped the crutches two weeks ago.

He said: “I thought it was only going to be six weeks but it didn’t heal so I ended up having to go for the operation.

“I’ve been out a while and it’s been really tough.

“It’s been frustrating not being able to train with the boys every day because it gets a bit boring but it has to be done to get fit again.

“I’ve just been concentrating on getting the rehab done, doing my work, and hopefully getting back before the end of the season.”