Bradford coach Steve McNamara is keen to stay on as England's assistant boss - to help banish the memory of their World Cup flop.

Head coach Tony Smith has 12 months left on his contract with the Rugby Football League, where he is also technical director, and will remain in charge of the national side for this autumn's expanded Four Nations Series - regardless of the outcome of the World Cup inquest.

McNamara, 37 - who is tipped as a potential long-term successor to Smith - has been his number two for the last two years. But his contract ran out at the end of the World Cup in November.

The former Hull and Great Britain loose forward is taking part in the ongoing debrief on England's disappointments in Australia, where they won just one of four matches, and he is hoping to be re-appointed.

"I'm keen to speak to Tony and the RFL board about it," he said.

"Obviously there is a little bit of a sour taste in everyone's mouth from what happened in the World Cup, and the players and the staff would love another opportunity to put that right.

"I am unbelievably ambitious. I'm disappointed - as everyone was - that England didn't get better results, and it would be nice to put that right."

England will next be in action in June with a mid-season international against France, who will be part of the expanded Tri-Nations alongside Australia and New Zealand in October and November.

Meanwhile, McNamara is excited about the prospects for his Bradford side in engage Super League XIV.

The Bulls have been busy in the close season - bringing in Steve Menzies, Nick Scruton, Rikki Sheriffe and Michael Worrincy to replace the outgoing Joe Vagana, Iestyn Harris, James Evans, Chris Feather and Simon Finnigan.

Down on numbers, McNamara has also promoted a host of youngsters into his first-team squad and he believes they have begun to blend in well.

"I'm very happy with the group we've got," he said.

"We've invested heavily in time and effort in the off season, and the guys have responded magnificently. They are as close a bunch as I've seen.

"There are a lot of young boys out there. There's very much more of a youthful and athletic look about the Bulls."

Menzies, the club's major signing from Australian champions Manly, and Harlequins recruits Worrincy and Sheriffe have been included in a 23-man squad for Bradford's pre-season friendly at Dewsbury tomorrow week.

Scruton is still sidelined with a broken thumb - while Sam Burgess, Andy Lynch and Tame Tupou are recovering from close-season surgery.

But Scruton and Burgess, back in training after undergoing a major shoulder operation, are expected to play in the Bulls' final friendly at Whitehaven the following week - leaving only Lynch and Tupou missing for their opening League game at Harlequins on February 8.

"Andy Lynch's neck operation was very successful," said McNamara.

"He will miss the first month of the new season.

"Tame Tupou should be there or thereabouts after his knee reconstruction - and other than that, we should be pretty much at full strength."