It's bring your boots time as injury-hit Bradford take on injury-hit Wigan this weekend.

Brian Noble could be without up to six stars for Sunday's Challenge Cup semi-final against the depleted Warriors.

At an Odsal press conference he revealed Joe Vagana (hamstring), Lee Radford (hip), Danny Gartner (calf), Michael Withers (stomach), Mike Forshaw (arm) and Jamie Peacock (broken hand) are all doubtful for the clash.

Wigan coach Stuart Raper fears he could be deprived of four internationals, with Andy Farrell (knee), Brett Dallas (hamstring), Mick Cassidy (calf) and Steven Wild (ankle) all struggling with injuries.

Noble, clearly frustrated by the return of injury problems to his side, said: "I won't be able to make any decisions until later in the week, maybe as late as Sunday.

"Every week I have had to make four or five changes, I have never known that sort of disruption so early in the season.

"I think it was only when we played Hunslet after the St Helens game that nearly everyone got a chance to get back on the horse after that embarrassment. But other than that there has been no stability. It is testament to the players that they have the flexibility to cope with all this disruption."

Ahead of the Warrington game last week, it was looking like Noble could put out a full-strength squad for Sunday's game.

With the exception of Mike Forshaw and Jamie Peacock, the players that missed the 32-8 victory at Odsal will be able to return, but a whole new swathe of injuries were picked up in that game leaving Noble frustrated.

But Bradford, flying high in second place in Super League, are still favourites to overcome the Warriors, defeated in the last two games and failing to impress the critics with their young side this season.

Raper was quick to play up his side's underdog status while admitting his side had "been written off in all quarters".

Noble, however, believes it is just a motivational tool used by the experienced Wigan coach and he is not going to let the Bulls buy into the hype.

"What a motivation he has given his side by writing them off," continued Noble.

"The fact is he will still parade ten internationals in this game. It would be wholly wrong for any of our players to buy into this. The reality is, we are being billed as the favourites but that is not how we are preparing."