Chris Nero is expecting the Bulls’ youngsters to spring a few surprises this year.

Although many of Bradford’s rising stars have yet to make a serious mark on Super League, they have a growing fan club inside their own dressing room.

Nero is an avowed admirer, praising the impact the club’s academy graduates have had on pre-season.

Back-row trio Elliott Whitehead, James Donaldson and Tom Olbison were among a host of young bucks to impress in Friday’s 24-24 draw at Dewsbury, at which Nero was an observer.

And the Aussie centre believes they could come under the radar to launch a sneak attack on the Bulls’ rivals this season.

He said: “Elliott and James Donaldson finished last season strongly and they didn’t look out of place in the team, and Danny Addy played well in the friendly at Castleford. They seem to be handling the step up.

“I think a few people will be surprised. We know internally what the boys can do, it’s just about them having the confidence to go out and do it.

“It’s up to the older boys in the squad as well, to help them out when they do play.

“For a lot of them, last year was their first year in full-time training so that’s their first year out of the way and some of them got a few games in as well,” said Nero.

“They’ve put in that extra hard work in pre-season because they know what it’s like, the rigours of playing.

“They’re all ready to step up now and we’re going to see a few good performances out of them this year.”