Young Bulls centre Jayden Myers admits it was "gutting" to miss the denouement of last season with injury, having done so much to help his side into the Betfred Championship play-off semi-finals.

But after just a few days of working under new head coach Eamon O'Carroll, he already has high hopes for the squad in 2024.

Bradford returned to pre-season training on Monday, with Myers saying: "The first day back was good, and we were kind of eased back into things fitness-wise, though it was obviously still hard.

"It was good to get everyone together and see where we were all at with that.

"But we'd already had a full squad meeting with Eamon on Friday, where we all had a bit of input on how we felt we'd done last season, what we'd done well and what we could improve on.

"Having that on Friday just shows the high level of coach Eamon is, because he knows what his players need.

"If he'd just had us all meet up for the first time on Monday, then get flogged in training, it wouldn't have been great, but instead we're all in high spirits already."

Myers is back fit and firing again, a huge relief given he missed Bulls' final game of the regular season, the play-off eliminator and the play-off semi after coming off hurt in the 12-10 win at London Broncos.

The 20-year-old scored both of Bradford's tries that day in September, and was at the top of his game.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Jayden Myers slips through to score his and Bulls' second try in the narrow win at London Broncos in September.Jayden Myers slips through to score his and Bulls' second try in the narrow win at London Broncos in September. (Image: Tom Pearson.)

He reflected: "I tore my calf and though I hoped I'd be back for the play-offs, I just wasn't fit enough.

"It would have gone again if I'd run on it and it was gutting for that to happen.

"One of my main aims was to help us into those play-offs, and though it would have been nice to win them, even just playing in them was something I really wanted to do.

"It wasn't the best way to end the season, as I'd been trying to make my name at this level and I didn't want people to think I wasn't up to the physical challenge of Championship rugby league.

"To be honest though, my calf just went in that game, it wasn't from any contact.

"It's all about making my big comeback from that now."

That comeback is set to be very soon, with Bulls having scheduled their first pre-season friendly for Christmas Eve, at home to Halifax.

Myers said: "Everyone's buzzing for that derby.

"Eamon and the coaches are giving a few other lads my age the chance to train with the first team this pre-season, like I did last year, and they know they could be in line to play on Christmas Eve.

"I do think it's good to have this game so early, because it allows us to get match fit quickly, and it might give us an advantage over other sides at the start of the season.

"It would definitely be nice to win the game, but really it's just about seeing the level we're all at, with it being our opener."