Bradford Bulls boss Kurt Haggerty expects to be without one of his new signings until March or April.
The Bulls took to the field for the first time since their promotion to Super League on Sunday as they took on and beat Doncaster 30-12 at the Eco-Power Stadium. Esan Marsters, Jayden Nikorima, Waqa Blake, Luke Hooley, Zac Fulton and Jamie Gill got over the line for the Bulls on the day as they demonstrated their attacking prowess despite the difficult conditions.
Haggerty’s line up was packed full of new signings, too, with just three of the starting XIII being at the club last season, and many of those new additions caught the eye.
However, Bradford fans won’t get to see one addition until March or April as he bids to overcome a hamstring problem.
Will Gardiner joined the Bulls after being released by Hull FC at the end of the 2025 campaign and the forward will certainly have a point to prove as he strives to prove that he can be a key player at Super League level.
A hamstring injury has ensured he’ll have to wait a couple of months at least before stepping into the Bulls’ fold though and that’s a big blow for the 24-year-old.
Gardiner wasn’t the only player missing on Sunday, though, with Loghan Lewis, Joe Mellor and Ebon Scurr being amongst those to sit out.
Bradford Bulls injury latest
“Everybody barring Will Gardiner will be in contention for Leeds, if not definitely round one,” Haggerty said when asked about injuries after the game in Doncaster.
“It’s just a longer hamstring tear so we’re probably looking at maybe around March or April.”
Guy Armitage also missed the game, but Haggerty has no long-term injury fears about him.
“It’s just a slight hamstring tear, he should be back for round one, round two latest,” he added.
The Bulls got through the game in South Yorkshire relatively unscathed but they did lose Sam Hallas to a HIA.
“Sam has been struggling with sickness all week as well, so he’s been really struggling,” Haggerty said on Hallas. “I’d have liked to have seen more game time and seen more of Sam, but the HIA and the sickness really affected his performance today.
“I didn’t get to see the best version of Sam that I would have liked today, purely due to his illness.”
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