Brett Ferres has accepted now must be the time to prove his Super League worth.

The Bulls loose forward has been on the fringes of Brian Noble's squad for the last two years while proving a dominant force in their Senior Academy side.

A talented footballer blessed with some great skills, Ferres has tons of potential.

But at the age of 19 he admits he can no longer survive on that alone.

"I'm 20 next year so I could do with really cementing a place now," he said.

"I'd like to stay at Bradford, hopefully my future does lie here and this year will really tell me if it does.

"I've just got this season left on

my contract so it's time to prove myself."

The former England Academy star made nine Super League appearances last season but Noble has gone on record saying he wants Ferres to thrust himself further forward in 2006.

He gets the first shot at filling the No 13 slot by being named there in the side to visit Warrington this afternoon.

With workaholic Lee Radford having joined Hull, it is one of the few positions really up for grabs at the Super League champions this year.

"There's still Jamie Langley, Terry Newton might play there, Stanley Gene possibly, so there's plenty of people after the role." added Ferres.

"It's going to be hard to get in but basically I want to be in the 17 this year and kick on from last.

"I had a good run really. I was quite happy with nine games. I only thought I'd get one or two so for Nobby to pick me in all those matches I was chuffed.

"I was bobbing in and out of the first team and would have liked to stay in longer but obviously there's a lot of good players in that squad.

"You get what you can when you can

and take your opportunities. Hopefully I'll try to stay in a bit longer this year and I want to start at Warrington."

Castleford-born Ferres bagged 17 tries in just 17 games for the Senior Academy last season, a side he captained to the final, and also acted as their main goal-kicker.

He has recovered well from a cartilage operation that hindered him last term and has great utility value.

That could be a string to his bow when it comes to first-team selection.

"I play all over - loose forward, second row, Steve Mac even chucked me in at prop couple of times last year!" he recalled.

"It's better to play everywhere and I'll fill in anywhere as long as I'm playing.

"Loose forward would be nice but there's a lot of competition.

"I just can't wait to get playing again."