Hull KR loanee Rowan Milnes tipped for the top by Bradford Bulls chief

The 20-year-old came through the Academy ranks at hometown Bradford but was sold to Rovers last October in a deal that saw five players switch to help ease financial issues.

However, Milnes was sent back to Bulls on a season long-loan and he showed his prowess again in Friday’s narrow 17-14 Challenge Cup defeat at Wakefield Trinity.

He was arguably the best half-back on the pitch despite being up against Australian star Jacob Miller and former Man of Steel Danny Brough.

Milnes dovetailed wonderfully with scrum-half Jordan Lilley and scored a try and all three of his goals as the Championship part-timers threatened a shock when leading 14-13 late on.

"They are good players,” said Kear.

“Jordan is at our club for the rest of this year and the next one, we have just secured him.

“Rowan is a Hull KR player that we have got on a season loan.

“They have got a good player; he is going to go there and become a Super League player there is no doubt in my mind.

"They need to produce those standards in the nitty gritty Championship and if they do that we can have a good season this year."

Bradford drew great praise from relieved Wakefield boss Chris Chester who admitted their spirited opponents were the better side.

Trinity needed Reece Lyne's 69th minute try to rescue them a place in Monday's last 16 draw.

Kear added: "When you sit in a press conference after you have played a Super League team and are disappointed to lose, it shows what the players are capable of.

"I'm proud as punch of what we have done tonight.

"We are made up of part timers. We had a five day turn around (from the Sheffield Eagles match) and played like that.

"I'm over the moon with the performance but disappointed that we are not through to the next round.

"They need to gain some confidence from that. They have not been playing mugs they have been playing a good rugby league team with some outstanding individuals.

"They have matched them and have not looked out of place so I am delighted."

Winger David Foggin-Johnston almost scored a brilliant 70m try which would have extended Bradford's advantage before Lyne struck.

"If it had been a championship game I think it would have been (a try) but Tom Johnstone is not slow; he has caught a few pigeons in his time," said Kear, about the England winger who successfully closed in on him with Lyne.

"You knew when they had Bill Tupou and Reece Lyne coming back, he had to hit the full gas all the way but they just chased him down.

"I thought the two chances earlier in the game were the ones that could have brought it back but it is easy to say that in hindsight.

"I think when we got 14-7 we just needed another. We could have been 18 points up before Wakefield got on the scoreboard. We did not take our chances and that is how clinical you have to be at this level.

"There are a lot of young players who can gain confidence and belief from their effort out there today."