Bradford Bulls boss Kurt Haggerty has revealed a selection hint after one of his senior players was ruled out of their clash with Hull FC.
It will be the Bulls first game in Super League for over ten years and a strong contingent of fans are expected to travel from West Yorkshire across to West Hull. Despite a relatively clean bill of health, there remain a couple of problems for Kurt Haggerty.
Jayden Nikorima was confirmed to be set for a few weeks on the sidelines and an update has been offered on the playmaker, but it’s also been confirmed that veteran winger Ethan Ryan won’t feature.
The ex-Hull KR and Salford man actually made his debut for Bradford, way back in 2016 against London Broncos, however, an injury sustained in his second debut this past weekend has ruled him out for Saturday’s Super League return.
Ryan was set for his 100th Bradford appearance but he will miss out after being left out of the 21-man squad revealed on Thursday, with Kurt Haggerty explaining a day prior on Wednesday: “He’s still in a little bit of pain and we’ll probably review more tomorrow on Ethan, so I’ll probably make more of a decision tomorrow.”
After Ryan’s rib injury, it’s likely that Connor Wynne could take his place and make his 100th career appearance.
On the prospect of Wynne replacing Ryan, Haggerty said: “Potentially, we have still got a couple of other options in there as well, but if Connor does get the nod, if Ethan’s not fit, then I’m more than confident in what Connor can do.”
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Bradford Bulls planning for life without Nikorima as injury timeline revealed
With Ryan now confirmed out, there are two other players who will not play against FC and they are Will Gardiner and Jayden Nikorima, with Kurt Haggerty now confirming Nikorima’s previously reported calf issue is a muscle tear.
In terms of timeline, he said: “You’re probably talking six weeks, but hopefully we can maybe get it a little bit quicker with the recovery that he’ll go through. Anything less than six weeks will be a bonus.”
It was Joe Keyes who replaced Nikorima against London and Haggerty has faith that the Londoner can run his side successfully, having been impressed with two strong showings so far.
“”I thought Joe Keyes in particular’s stepping has been fantastic,” Haggerty stated.
“He’s come in and he’s really shown the running game that he can do playing for us. I’ve had a conversation with Joe about what it looks like with Jayden not being there and he’s been first class, he’s shown what he can do in the Leeds game and in particular at London, he’s strung two really good games back-to-back. I’m looking forward to seeing him step up to the Super League and do it.”
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