VIDEO Super League 2016 - Wakefield Wildcats: Trinity offer Jones-Bishop chance to recapture best form

It was only in 2011 that the exciting winger, then of Leeds Rhinos, was named in Steve McNamara’s Four Nations England squad, apparently on the cusp of a burgeoning international career.

He did not feature in that tournament but scored the winning try as Leeds defeated Manly Sea Eagles in the World Club Challenge at the start of the following season and crossed again as they overcame Warrington Wolves in the Super League Grand Final, a second successive winners’ ring.

Jones-Bishop – about to start the forthcoming campaign with Wakefield Trinity Wildcats after a difficult 12 months at Salford Red Devils – could do no wrong.

However, then came the alarming discovery of a potentially fatal blood clot on his lungs which sidelined him for six months and most of the 2013 season.

Although he made a successful recovery, soon after, Leeds signed England winger Tom Briscoe from Hull FC for 2014 and, with Ryan Hall already in situ, the numbers simply did not add up.

Eventually, concerned by a potential lack of game-time, Jones-Bishop agreed a move to Salford for last season but not before rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament while playing for Leeds against Bradford Bulls – his third major injury scare having earlier fractured his skull while on loan at Harlequins in 2010.

He played well for Salford, despite more injury niggles, scoring 17 tries in 25 games for a troubled club that toiled both on and off the field.

But the question remains, having now joined Trinity who finished bottom last term, does he buy into the theory that no player should ever leave Leeds as things don’t ever get any better?

“No, not at all,” Jones-Bishop told The Yorkshire Post.

“That’s because at the end of the day, from when I had that blood clot, I realised we’re not here for a long time and I want to play rugby.

“It was made pretty obvious to me I wouldn’t be a starter (at Leeds) and I didn’t really fancy playing just here and there.

“For me it was about going (to Salford) to play and – good or bad – that’s what I did. That’s what I’m now hoping to carry on here at Wakefield.

“It was a bit of a surprise and a bit disappointing really what happened at Leeds but I sort of knew when I got injured that someone had been signed to cover me.

“It was one of those where I didn’t know whether I was coming back so they had to do what they had to do and that left the situation of three into two wingers or six into five backs.

“It was me who was missing out so that was unfortunate but just the way it goes.”

Crucially, however, Jones-Bishop is still only 27 and, therefore, hope remains that he can not only rediscover his best form but find new levels, too, especially given Trinity coach Brian Smith has handed him his preferred full-back role.

“I don’t think I’ve had a constant year since then (England call-up in 2011) as there’s always been something happening,” admitted the Leeds-born player.

“I don’t know why – it is what it is – but you just roll with the punches and see what happens.

“I do think my best years are ahead of me, though, especially as I’m playing full-back at Wakefield.

“It’s a lot more active there; you are more in the game and I think it will benefit me a lot.

“There’s still areas like my decision-making I have to work on that don’t come natural to me and I’m working on that an awful lot.

“But I just think the next few years will probably be my best and under Brian and the style of players we have here that could work really well.”

Certainly, most people do feel Jones-Bishop is best suited to the No 1 role especially with his broken-field running ability from the back.

Trinity, meanwhile, may have only secured their top-flight status by virtue of that Million Pound Game win over Bradford but he feels 2016 will be much brighter, not just for him but the club, too.

“It was exciting speaking to (chairman) Michael (Carter) and Brian, seeing where they want the club to progress to and my role within that,” said Jones-Bishop.

“With the other experienced players they’ve got here, Brian putting together what he wants me to do on the field floating around with Jacob Miller and Liam Finn in the halves – one creative spark, one organiser – that could really work well.

“We have a pretty big pack as well so we’re confident and, personally, I feel fresh, injury-free and ready to go.”

Amen to that.