Shaun Ainscough could have been forgiven for thinking that it was just not meant to be for him at Bradford.

He became a Bull this time last year on a one-year deal from Wigan, his hometown club.

Five tries in his first nine games for Mick Potter’s side underlined Ainscough’s pedigree – but then disaster struck.

The former England Academy winger, 21, damaged ankle ligaments in the defeat to Warrington on May 1, was forced to undergo surgery and only returned to action in the last two games of the season.

Yet Potter – whose squad was ravaged by injury during 2011 – had seen enough from the popular Wiganer to know he was worth retaining.

So he handed him a new one-year deal to keep him at Odsal at least until the end of 2012.

“I love it here and I always wanted to stay,” said Ainscough, who makes the daily trek from Wigan to the Bulls’ training HQ at Tong.

“It’s always a big boost when you know your job is safe for another year. It’s a boost to your family as well.

“There are big changes happening at Bradford and I want to be a part of things.”

Ainscough returned for pre-season training last Monday looking like a man determined to make up for lost time.

He is hoping the club’s – and his own – injury woes are a thing of the past.

He added: “It can only get better after last year. There were a lot of injuries during the season and it showed.

“There was a different team every week because of injuries. It didn’t help the team at all.

“But hopefully I’ll be injury-free in 2012.

“I actually had a good start last year. I was in and out, and then I got injured but just came back for the last two games.

“But now this is a fresh start and I’m looking forward to it.

“We’ve signed three lads from the NRL (Keith Lulia, Adrian Purtell and Manase Manuokafoa) and I’m sure they will bring a lot to the team.

“It looks like there will be big changes.”

Potter is delighted to have him back in the fray.

“Shaun started the year very well but unfortunately got an injury,” said the Bulls boss.

“He’s still very young, so he’s still got lots to learn. He’s got speed and the ability to score tries and once he’s got the ball in hand he’s hard to stop.

“He’ll be one of the wingers who’ll be pushing for a spot next year. He’s got that instinctive play where his footwork gets him into space.”

Ainscough will compete with new recruit Elliot Kear for a spot on the wing and has welcomed the acquisition of the Wales international, who has impressed during the Four Nations.

“He looks a decent player,” said Ainscough of the former Crusaders man.

“He’s young like me and still has a lot to learn but he’s playing international rugby so he should come here full of confidence.

“An international player coming in is going to make it tough to get a place in the side.

“But it’s only going to make you train harder and improve further.

“I want to get a starting spot, stay fit and keep my place in the team.”