Jamie Foster column

After a frustrating couple of weeks on the sidelines with an ankle injury, I’m hoping to be back in action against Rochdale.

We’ve got a couple of massive games coming up against Warrington and Leeds, so hopefully I can get some game-time under my belt this weekend.

The Challenge Cup is a fantastic competition steeped in history, tradition and romance. As a young lad and then player with St Helens, I’ve been to a number of finals down the years and it would be fantastic to reach Wembley with Bradford this season.

Why not? There is certainly no shortage of talent or desire within this group. We’ve shown what we are capable of this season and the good thing is that players are coming back to full fitness. That means increased competition for places, which can only be a good thing for Franny as coach.

With Platty coming back last week against Wigan, there is a battle for that left-wing spot – but it’s the same throughout the side. Purts has come back and Blythey is knocking on the door to play again, if not this week then certainly next week against Warrington.

That’s a big one for Blythey at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, with him being a Warrington player. I’m sure in the build-up to the game he’ll be getting the same kind of attention I had when we played St Helens earlier in the season.

Above all, I’m sure Blythey will want to re-establish himself in the centres and obviously I want to get my wing spot straight back. I’ve enjoyed it out there and hit some good form but the competition for places is there now.

If you look at the best teams throughout Super League – or indeed any team – they all have strong competition. You need to be pushed and you need to know that if you’re not performing then you will be rotated. I think that’s the best way of getting the best performances out of everyone.