Michael Platt has spoken of his desire to stay at Bradford beyond this season as he prepares for a return to Rochdale in tomorrow’s Tetley’s Challenge Cup fourth-round tie.

The versatile 29-year-old made his comeback after a lengthy injury lay-off in last weekend’s home defeat to Wigan and could feature again as the Bulls hit the Wembley trail at Spotland.

Platt enjoyed a highly successful season with the Hornets after joining them from Salford City Reds ahead of the 2004 campaign.

He won the coveted National League young player of the year award that season and subsequently earned a move to Castleford, who he helped to win promotion back to Super League in 2005.

Platt joined the Bulls in 2007 and, although his contract expires at the end of the current campaign, he is keen to remain a part of Francis Cummins’ squad into next year.

He said: “Obviously I want to stay at Bradford. I think everyone wants to stay. It’s a really good atmosphere around the place.

“You probably keep hearing it but it’s true. I’m really enjoying it and I don’t want to leave. If Bradford want me I’m happy to stay – but it’s in the club’s hands.

“There are plenty of good wingers out there and there is plenty here as well. I just have to play well but I feel there is still plenty of improvement to come.

“Franny played a bit like me at wing and full back, so I’m sure I can learn a lot from him.”

Platt had impressed Cummins during pre-season with his attitude and performances in the two friendlies against Dewsbury and Leeds.

He was handed the left-wing berth against Wakefield in the opening round of the season before being struck down the following week at Hull FC.

Platt was knocked out following a tackle from former Bulls winger Jason Crookes and sustained a knee injury in the process.

He said: “It was really frustrating. I worked hard in pre-season and Franny gave me the opportunity to start the first game of the campaign. That is what you always aim for when you begin pre-season training.

“That went well but then unfortunately I got knocked out at Hull and then all your muscles switch off. I landed funnily and that was why I snapped my medial ligament – I was knocked out before I hit the floor.

“It was just a really unlucky injury and set me back eight weeks. It’s probably going to take me a few weeks to find my feet again.

“I was a bit rusty against Wigan last week but I’m ready to go again this weekend if selected. I just need games now. My legs felt a bit tired last week and you can only get that match fitness back with regular games.”

Platt was signed for Rochdale by then coach Bobbie Goulding, the former St Helens and Great Britain scrum half, and he has nothing but happy memories of his short spell at Spotland.

He recalled: “Bobbie took me to Rochdale from Salford and I really enjoyed it. He was a good coach, one of the true characters of the game, and it’s a shame he’s not involved in rugby league any more.

“It was good for my career at that time. I think I was only 20 and I needed regular games, which I got there. We had a good team that year and a great team spirit – it was that which probably got us through.

“I got young player of the year and it was the first time I had dropped out of Super League. Sometimes you have to go one step back to go two forward.

“It worked out well for me. I got young player of the year, got signed on by Cas and was playing Super League the year after.

“Spotland is a nice little stadium and it will be nice to go back there.”

Meanwhile, the Bulls are reminding fans that £99 half season-tickets for the terraces are still available.