Williams ready to pledge his future to Bradford

The winger debuts against Catalan Dragons tomorrow after arriving on a month’s deal from fellow strugglers Salford Red Devils.

He is James Lowes’s first signing since taking over and, ahead of the new head coach’s opening game at Odsal, Williams said: “Hopefully I can play well, and if Jimmy likes me then I can stay here long-term.

“It would be good to be a part of it on a permanent basis.

“Bradford are a big club and a big name in the game. Even if they go down, they’re going to bounce straight back up because of the stature of the club.

“I would be prepared to stick with them no matter what.”

Williams started out with Leeds Rhinos, debuting in 2006 under Tony Smith and playing in the same team as current Bradford captain Matt Diskin and Odsal colleague Chev Walker.

However, he was limited to just 18 games with his hometown club, admittedly scoring 12 tries, and, after loan spells with Castleford and Hull FC, switched to rugby union under the tutelage of Leeds legend Alan Tait at Newcastle Falcons in 2008.

Salford signed him in 2011 via a brief spell at Hull KR and he has been prolific there, scoring 28 times in just 45 league games during his first three seasons.

The pacey 27-year-old, though, has not featured for Iestyn Harris’s side since the end of May.

“It has been a bit frustrating this season,” admitted Williams, who gets a chance as Lowes again overlooks both Luke George and Jamie Foster.

“I’ve played about nine or 10 games. But the personnel there is changing all the time and players are coming and going constantly.

“They are signing a lot of players so game-time was looking pretty scarce.

“Jimmy has put a lot of faith in me to get me in with all the talent they already have here in the backs. I appreciate that and have obviously got to reward it.”

Elliot Kear and Jordan Baldwinson have been left out of the squad which lost to Warrington, meaning Joe Arundel is back into contention.