Scruton like a new signing, says Cummins

Bradford coach Francis Cummins says the return of prop Nick Scruton from injury will be like having a new signing.

Scruton, 27, was limited to eight appearances in 2012 before having his season cut short by a shoulder injury, after also seeing his 2011 cut short by a wrist injury after 14 games.

The former Leeds forward, who joined the Bulls back in 2009, and is now in pre-season training ahead of the new Super League campaign.

Cummins told SKY Sports: “Having Nick fit is almost like having a new signing because we’ve not really had him available for 12 months.

“Even when he played at the start of last year, he wasn’t able to train fully, so I’m looking forward to him continuing training the way he has since he came back for pre-season.

“As a squad we’re going to need Nick, along with everyone else, to be fully fit and to improve next year.”

Scruton, who won two Super League Grand Finals during his time with the Rhinos, made his Super League debut back in 2002, but it was only after a loan spell at Hull in 2004 that he started making his mark as a first team player in the competition.

He has scored five tries in 74 appearances for the Bulls in his four seasons at Odsal.