Teenage star James Donaldson has signed a new three-year deal with the Bulls.

And coach Steve McNamara predicted the rookie loose forward will have a big part to play in the Odsal future.

McNamara said: “This contract is well deserved. James made great strides in his first year as a professional player and we are really pleased with him.

“It’s a real progression being full time and he has had to educate himself a whole lot more about the game. We’re already seeing the benefits of that.”

Donaldson, recruited from Cumbrian amateurs Wath Brow, made seven Super League appearances in his debut season and scored two tries.

McNamara added: “The recruitment staff deserve a big pat on the back for spending the time and effort to bring him in. He is making good progress and we know that potentially James can become a very good player.”

Donaldson is likely to get more game time next season as the revamped Bulls give more of their rising stars the opportunity to shine.

Aussie trio Glenn Hall, Heath L’Estrange and Brett Kearney are all on board, with one more overseas recruit tipped to follow. But with eight players gone from the roster, the decks have been cleared for the top youngsters to push their claims.

McNamara said: “Some of the reasons for letting other people go are because of the young lads coming through. The likes of Donaldson, Elliott Whitehead and Tom Olbison are outstanding young men who deserve their chance.

“We’ve got three gems there and a few more behind them aren’t far off.”

Eighteen-year-old Donaldson was delighted to get the deal done.

He said: “At my age, I think three years is the right amount of time for me. Hopefully three years from now I will be a lot better player and starting every week for Bradford.

“It’s the best club for me and they have already given me opportunities that I don’t think I would have got anywhere else.”

* Paul Sykes is the only Bulls player in England’s 24-man squad for the Gillette Four Nations series, which lacks a host of familiar names.

Leon Pryce, Ade Gardner, Paul Wellens and Maurie Fa’asavalu are the big-name omissions from St Helens, while there are no places for the Leeds trio of Rob Burrow, Jamie Jones-Buchanan and the internationally-retired Keith Senior.

Former Bull Chris Bridge, from Warrington, St Helens' exciting utility back Kyle Eastmond and Wigan’s Super League young player of the year Sam Tomkins, both 20, are the three new faces.