Bradford Bulls have signed two more of their emerging young players on extended deals.

Twenty-year-old loose forward Lee Radford and teenage back Alex Wilkinson are the latest to put pen to paper.

Wilkinson, who is 17 and joined Bulls from amateur side Royton Tigers as a trainee last season, has been given a full professional contract and promoted to the first team squad.

It is a reward for the impressive progress he has made since joining the Odsal club.

Radford was snapped up from Hull a year ago and made one full appearance and four as substitute in Super League last season.

He has had his present contract extended until the end of the 2002 season.

He has impressed the Bulls' coaching staff with his work during the close season in building up his personal physique.

Coach Matthew Elliott said: "We are delighted to secure the future services of two very talented young players.

"As a club we realise the importance of keeping hold of the young players we develop.

"We believe the club has an exciting future and we want them to be a part of it."

Wilkinson's promotion to the first team squad may raise a few eyebrows but Bulls officials believe he will soon be making a name for himself.

Elliott said: "Everybody at the club has been impressed with his attitude and the hard work he has put in.

"He is a tremendous player with pace to burn and I am sure you will be seeing a lot of him this season."

Elliott has shown in the past that he is not afraid to give youth its chance.

Leon Pryce was given his Super League debut two seasons ago when just 16.

He became a regular in the Bulls' side last season as he won the coveted Young Player of the Year prize in the Man of Steel Awards.

Meanwhile, Australian prop forward Jamie Mathiou will make his comeback from injury for Leeds Rhinos in Friday's Dale Laughton testimonial match against Huddersfield and Sheffield Giants at Headingley.

Mathiou, who underwent knee surgery in the close season, will play his first match under new Rhinos coach Dean Lance, who is using the game as preparation for the start of the club's defence of the Challenge Cup next month.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.