Bradford Bulls winger Shaun Ainscough given new deal

Ainscough has scored five tries in his nine Bulls appearances

Bradford Bulls winger Shaun Ainscough has been given a new one-year-deal, despite an injury interrupted first season with the club.

Ainscough has been out of action since May after undergoing ankle surgery.

The 21-year-old former Wigan Warriors player told BBC Radio Leeds: "It's a big weight off my mind - I can relax for next year knowing I'm staying here.

"I've only played nine games through injury and didn't know if I'd sign, but they've kept me which is great."

Ainscough joined the Bulls from Wigan in August last year and is now targeting a return to action against his former club.

"I'm maybe two or three weeks away [from returning], hopefully try to get back for the Wigan game, which I want to play in.

"I was getting some game time and then got injured, which set me back a bit.

"They [the fans] haven't seen much of me, they've only seen nine games and I don't think we did well in those games - I didn't get much ball to show what I can do."

Bulls coach Mick Potter added: "Shaun started the year very well but unfortunately got an injury.

"He's still very young, so he's still got a lot of learning.

"He's got speed and the ability to score tries and once he's got the ball in hand he's hard to stop."

The club have also announced that Shad Royston has turned down the offer of a new contract at Odsal and is now expected to sign for French club Pia.