SAM Bates is looking forward to showing Bulls boss Jimmy Lowes what he is made of as he closes in on a return to full fitness.

The home-grown forward made two Super League appearances for the club last year but has not featured this season.

That is a legacy of the new-found strength in the Bulls' squad and an ankle problem which has required two operations.

Bates is currently undergoing rehabilitation but is aiming to force his way back into the first-team reckoning in the coming weeks.

The 19-year-old from Halifax, who can play at prop and in the back row, impressed in his two appearances last term.

He came off the bench to make his debut in the crushing 84-6 defeat at Wigan on Easter Monday but then played his part in a stirring win over Warrington at Odsal in June.

Bates, who is the youngster member of Lowes' squad, said: "Jimmy's a totally different coach and I haven't had chance to impress him because of my injury.

"Obviously he knows I've played in Super League but it's a clean slate and I need to prove myself to him now.

"I've played a few games for the Academy this season but I injured my ankle and had two operations on it.

"I've just been going through the motions since then, trying to get it right, and there is nothing else I can do but rehab and get going.

"I reckon it will be up to a month before I am fully fit and able to show Jimmy what I can do.

"But the team is looking fairly healthy on the injury front and the squad is much bigger than last season.

"Therefore I will probably get loaned out, which would be better than playing for the Academy."

Bates signed a two-year full-time contract towards the end of last season which ties him to the Bulls until the end of 2016.

Reflecting on his two appearances last year, he said: "I'm thankful to have had a taste of it and played in Super League before I got injured.

"We beat Warrington and it was a massive win at a very difficult time for the club, so it was great to get that experience.

"But I need to prove myself again now and my aim is to keep going and crack on."

Bates, who was on the books of Leeds United as a youngster, is determined to make the grade in full-time rugby but has trained as a plumber and has a further sideline away from the Bulls.

"I work in financial services, which is a different career path for me depending on how long I last in rugby," he explained.

"It's something different and an extra income, so I'm always working."