Matt Cook has ended speculation about a return to rugby union by declaring he's "dead happy" with Bradford.

The 19-year-old dual-code schoolboy international listened to approaches from Northampton after becoming disillusioned with a lack of first-team opportunities at Grattan Stadium.

But a clear-the-air talk with boss Steve McNamara has satisfied the second-rower he has a Bulls future.

"I got a call from Steve while he was on a beach in Mexico and had a really good chat," said Cook, who won his second England cap against Tonga on Sunday.

"He told me about the deal with David Solomona and Brett Ferres going to Wakefield, where he sees me in the future of the club, and I'm more reassured now. I've had time to think about how the season has gone."

Cook signed a new three-year deal in June but missed four months of Super League XI due to a shoulder injury and struggled to break back into McNamara's 17.

"I did get frustrated when I was injured and then not getting games when I returned," he said.

"I was wondering what I'd done wrong and worrying because I'm getting to that stage of my career which is most crucial - when I'm going to make it or go missing.

"That's why I was looking at other options, as the long-term at Bradford was blurry, but it isn't now and everything is clearer.

"I can't wait to crack on with the Bulls in 2007. I know I've got to do it and perform and if it means biding a year then I'll take it on the chin and work even harder.

"But I don't want to do that and will be fighting, letting the likes of Chris McKenna, Glenn Morrison and David Solomona know that I'm after their spots." England team-mate Ferres, 20, shot ahead of Cook in the pecking order this year but is bound for Wakefield as part of the Solomona deal due to be confirmed today. Fellow second-rowers Paul Johnson and Brad Meyers have also left Odsal and Stanley Gene, another back-row option, is lined up for Hull KR. Morrison and Solomona arrive but Cook should figure more heavily next season and, with two of McNamara's second-rowers aged 30-plus, he hopes to be around for a lot longer. Cook said: "It's a real shame Brett is going as we are really good mates. But at the same time, we were both fighting for second-row spots even though I started out as a centre and him a loose forward. I suppose right at the back of our minds there is a bit of a rivalry. I'm sad to see him go but it could open more doors for me."