Chairman Chris Caisley has strongly defended the Bulls' decision to quit Odsal several months before the bulldozers move in to start work on the proposed £60m redevelopment.

Caisley, who insists that the scheme remains on course despite scepticism in some quarters, says staying at Odsal was not economic.

"There was never a suggestion under the current proposals that building work would have begun by now," stressed Caisley.

"But I must emphasise that, while it may have gone a little quiet publicly, things are progressing nicely behind the scenes and I would hope that everything will be in place for a planning hearing within the next few weeks.

"We have been working closely with the developers Sterling Capitol on detailed lay-outs of what facilities we want incorporated in the stadium. We should be able to make those public pretty soon.

"Ground investigation works have also been completed and while problems have been identified they are not as severe as first thought."

Some fans have been mystified that the Bulls have continued to train at Odsal and that the Alliance side have been in action there too.

But Caisley explains: "Economically it would not have made sense for the first team to play there. To meet safety regulations thousands of pounds would have had to have been spent on a stadium which was soon to be knocked down.

"It would have been like pouring the Council's money down a drain.

"In addition we wanted to give the scheme every chance to commence as soon as possible. If we had played at Odsal this season there is no way the scheme could have started before October or November at the earliest. By moving to Valley Parade the way is clear for work to begin as soon as the developers get the go-ahead."

The table-topping Bulls Alliance side face Huddersfield Giants at Odsal tonight (7.30). Tickets for the Challenge Cup semi-final against Warrington at the McAlpine on Sunday week will also be on sale. Admission tonight is £3 and £1 and free to season ticket holders.

The club has reported that 4,000 were snapped up by season ticket holders on Monday and Tuesday.