Jayden Nikorima is closing in on an early return to action for Bradford Bulls, head coach Kurt Haggerty has revealed.
The half-back joined the club from Salford Red Devils over the off-season but he hasn’t been able to make his competitive debut for the club yet. That’s because he picked up a calf injury in the week leading up to Bradford’s Challenge Cup clash with London Broncos last month.
Four rounds of Super League action have now passed, with Bradford having to field a makeshift half pairing of Rowan Milnes and Luke Hooley in their last three games.
However, it seems Haggerty’s first choice stand-off is on the verge of making a return to action and while this week’s Cup clash with Wigan Warriors is expected to come too soon, he could feature against Huddersfield Giants next week.
“Jayden dropped into some team training today but he’ll probably do most of the session on Thursday,” Haggerty said. “I don’t think Jayden is too far away.”
Asked if he could be fit for round five, Haggerty said: “Possibly.
“His rehab has gone really well, he’s flew through it and he’s been really professional and it’s probably a credit to himself and the medical staff of how quickly he’s turned things around.”
Haggerty also confirmed that Guy Armitage is fit and opened up on Joe Keyes’ sustained period of absence, with the half-back struggling with a back issue.
“I think he’s seeing a specialist this week so we’ll know more on Joe then. It’s more in regards to bulging discs, it’s a managing thing and he’s in a lot of pain at the moment.
“I don’t think it’s really gone away [since last season], coming into a full-time environment and training more, having more physical games, I think it’s just really catching up with him at the moment.
“I’ve had numerous conversations with Joe and the medical staff and it’s very much just how he responds to treatment to it and what the next step is in regards to how we fix it in the short term but it’s very much an ongoing process at the moment. We’re fully supporting Joe, he’s frustrated and a little bit upset but we’re there to support him and we hope he gets back on the field soon.”
With injuries beginning to pile up across Super League, a number of clubs are active in the recruitment market as they look to add to their squads. Bradford Bulls are no different, it seems, with Haggerty confirming the club is keeping an eye out for the right man.
“We’re looking all the time but it needs to be the right person,” he said. “We have a great group and a narrative of working really hard first. I won’t rush on any decision of who we bring into the club but we’re certainly looking but it has to be the right people and the right position.”
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