Bradford Bulls have a slim chance of welcoming back two players to their side for the Good Friday derby clash against Leeds Rhinos.
The Bulls have been down on numbers, especially in the pack area over the past few weeks, but additions such as Phoenix Steinwede and Jack Ormondroyd have bolstered their strength up front.
Steinwede joined the club from Australia and made his debut in defeat to Castleford Tigers on Thursday evening, whilst Ormondroyd has joined on a season-long loan from Salford.
Boss Kurt Haggerty could see two more bodies return this week, however he is aware of the risks of bringing players back early and potentially aggravating a knock that isn’t fully healed.
Eribe Doro and Ebon Scurr are those players, and if either of those were to return against the Rhinos it would be a welcome boost for the Odsal outfit.
Doro suffered an ankle injury in the Challenge Cup defeat to Wigan Warriors, whilst Scurr has been missing with a hamstring injury since the start of March, and was expected to be out for six weeks meaning, if he returns, he would be ahead of schedule.
Despite Friday’s game being such an important one in the club’s return to Super League, Haggerty won’t be risking any players if he doesn’t have to, and will only select the duo if they are fit enough to perform to their usual standard.
He said: “I’d probably say [they are] 50-50 right now. I’m pushing the medical staff every day, but I need to be careful. I need to protect the player first and make sure we make the right decisions.
“I don’t think they need to be 100%. I don’t think I’ll have a player this year who will play 100%. It just doesn’t work like that.
“But ultimately, if the medical staff are comfortable with it, the player’s comfortable with it, I’m comfortable in that position, then for sure, I’ll play the player.”
Bradford did pick up another injury last week, with youngster Jamie Gill expected to feature on loan for Dewsbury Rams, however he was a late withdrawal and didn’t feature.
“Jamie’s rolled his ankle,” explained Haggerty. “He should only be a week. I think he should be back playing pretty soon.”
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