Return to familiar ground can help inspire Bulls’ Foster

RECALLED Bradford Bulls winger Jamie Foster is desperate to prove his worth again and sees no better place to do so than at former employers St Helens.
Bradford Bulls' Jamie Foster.Bradford Bulls' Jamie Foster.
Bradford Bulls' Jamie Foster.

Bradford head to face the Super League leaders this evening knowing if they lose, and other results go against them, they could be relegated as early as next weekend.

It is a sobering thought for the once mighty club but all Foster is concentrating on is delivering his own performance.

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He has been left out of the last six games, first by Francis Cummins and, then, after he was sacked, for both of James Lowes’s two fixtures since taking over.

But the 23-year-old, who rose to prominence with Saints as a prolific goal-kicker and played in the 2010 Grand Final before losing his way, is adamant he is ready to prosper once more.

“If there was one game I could choose to prove myself it would be St Helens at Langtree Park,” said Foster, who gets his chance with Lowes again overlooking Wales winger Elliot Kear and ex-Huddersfield flier Luke George.

“It’s a stadium I’ve played at a number of times for Saints and it’s a ground I have only returned to in the past to watch games.

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“I’ve never had the chance to play there as a visitor, so I was really chuffed to get the nod.

“You take things for granted at times as a professional rugby league player but when you’re not getting selected it makes you have a bit of a reality check and train that little bit harder.

“There are always little things you can improve on and I’ve been working on them in the past few weeks. Jimmy has picked up on that and realises I’ve been trying to get my spot back.

“It’s just a matter of performing now and hopefully keeping hold of that shirt.”

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Foster admits he has struggled with being left out of the Bradford side with a plethora of wingers – Kear, George, Matty Blythe and, last Sunday, on-loan Danny Williams – all preferred to him at various times.

“The last few weeks have been very difficult when I’m being asked 100 questions when I’m trying to watch a game,” he said.

“That’s really frustrating but I have learnt from it all. Now I know how it feels when you don’t play, it has made me appreciate playing more than ever.

“That will be reflected in my performance on Friday.

“I’m feeling good, I’m feeling fresh, and the way we’ve been training this week I’m really confident we can go there and give them a game.”