Former Huddersfield Giants back-row forward Dale Ferguson could be back to lead the Bulls’ charge against Huddersfield in Sunday’s pre-season clash at Odsal.
The Scotland World Cup star sat out last weekend’s 22-14 defeat at Super League side Castleford as Bradford prepare for their first campaign in the Kingstone Press Championship.
While injured trio Dave Petersen, Matty Blythe and Dan Fleming remain on the sidelines after missing the Tigers trip, Bulls boss James Lowes is hoping experienced top-flight forward Ferguson will be back in the frame.
His return would be a boost for the Bulls, particularly if new signing Jean-Philippe Baile fails to recover from a hamstring strain suffered at Castleford, although Lowes knows the scoreline at this stage of the season isn’t what it’s all about.
“The results of these next few games are not the most important thing for us,” he said.
“I wanted to give everyone a good run-out and that will be the case for the weeks ahead.
“Games are far more beneficial than training. They give us a greater workout and matchday intensity cannot be replicated.
“I enjoyed watching them play for the first time, we started the game well and went into half-time with a lead, I was pleased with a lot of things I saw in this game and I expect us to build on this against Huddersfield.
“I have seen what they are capable of in training, their attitude has been good throughout the past 12 weeks.
“A lot of that game was about attitude and, as long as we put into play what we have been practicing over the past few months, we will give the Championship a good crack this year.”
Lowes named 11 debutants in his 22-man squad for Bradford’s weekend trip to the Mend-A-Hose Jungle – the first of a trio of pre-season friendlies for the club this month.
An impressive first-half helped the Bulls move into a comfortable lead, with tries coming courtesy of Jay Pitts, Adrian Purtell and newcomer Ryan Shaw, but they challenge faded after the break, with former Bulls half-back Luke Gale pulling the strings.
