Bulls boss Mick Potter reckons rookie Adam O’Brien will keep Heath L’Estrange and Matt Diskin on their toes at Odsal next season.

Teenage hooker O’Brien underlined his rich potential with a number of impressive displays during the Bulls’ injury-hit 2011 campaign.

The former Siddal amateur, 18, made his Super League debut at Huddersfield in March and went on to make several more appearances following injuries to first-choice hookers L’Estrange and Diskin.

The aforementioned duo are almost certain to start next term as Potter’s first-choice combination but the Bradford coach believes that O’Brien’s impressive rise to prominence will continue apace next term.

Potter said: “Adam’s emergence last season was a very encouraging sign for the club and Heath and Matt have been helping him as he’s gone along.

“Adam progressively got better as the year went on, first in the Under-20s and then when he got his opportunity in the first team.

“From the start of the year to where he ended, Adam became a much more confident player.

“Physically, he’s better equipped now and with another good pre-season under his belt I think he’ll be putting pressure on some people.”

Potter admits he would have no qualms about pitching O’Brien into the heat of battle should injuries bite again at Odsal in 2012.

“The club can be confident that Adam can fill the void quickly,” said the Bulls boss.

“He showed that in the latter part of the 2011 campaign and that was a massive plus for us.

“Adam is still developing as a player and is only 18 years of age but he has shown he has ability.”