The Bulls hope to fast-track 16-year-old Jason Crookes into their Super League plans next season.

Boss Steve McNamara will hand the talented loose forward a full-time squad place for 2007.

Although fresh out of school, and still eligible for the Junior Academy, he reckons the teenager has a big future in the game.

McNamara feels he will benefit from maximum exposure to the professional ranks and said: "Jason Crookes has huge potential.

"He is only 16 but we're bringing him into the full-time squad to try and progress him as quickly as we can.

"He is a tough, quick player and another young prospect that we feel will benefit from this sort of environment."

Fellow rookie Sam Burgess, 17, made his Super League debut this season, hitting the headlines with some eye-catching displays having followed a similar route.

The rangy prop thrived in his first campaign as a full-time pro, making the breakthrough in July and playing nine games off the bench.

"Hopefully we're aiming to do that with Jason as well and with as many of the other kids as we can," said McNamara.

Crookes came to the attention of the Bulls having impressed in their scholarship scheme.

They then beat off a host of Super League rivals to bag the signature of the Newsome Panthers junior in February.

He penned a three-year deal and featured for the Academy Foundation side before quickly being promoted into the under-18s.

Huddersfield-born Crookes, who will probably play most of his rugby in the Senior Academy next season, has been capped as an England Schoolboys' international.