Staying focused promises to be Bradford Bulls biggest obstacle tomorrow as they take on struggling Salford with most pundits predicting another half-century romp.

The Super League leaders have crashed through the 50-point barrier four times already this term and have only failed to reach the 30 mark on three occasions in 15 starts.

But coach Matthew Elliott believes his side are entering the most dangerous time of the season and is keen to avoid them slipping into a comfort zone with a place in the top three already looking a near certainty.

"I always think that the third-quarter of the season is the toughest both here and in Australia," he explained.

"Back home you are entering the worst of the weather and here it is the hottest spell.

"This is when you also tend to pick up a lot of injuries and it is important that we are ultra professional and focused."

The squad reported back for training yesterday after a well-earned six-day break and Elliott says the signs were encouraging.

"They came back full of beans and raring to go. I think they are handling it pretty well at the moment but we are a long way off finishing the job that we started in March and the most important thing is that everyone is prepared to get their head down and graft."

Elliott has mixed news on the injury front with Justin Brooker (hand) and Mike Forshaw (hip) expected to return after injury but Nathan McAvoy and David Boyle will miss out with knee injuries.

Brooker would appear favourite to fill-in at full back although Henry Paul handled the role with some aplomb at Castleford last week.

"Henry can be a bit scary back there at times although his contribution was excellent," said Elliott. "But Justin's return to fitness gives us a few more options."

Salford have won two of their last three games, but are expected to be without Aussie back-row pair Darren Brown and Jim Smith and there is also a doubt about prop Paul Southern.

Bulls fans are reminded that the game has been switched to a 3.00pm kick-off to avoid a clash with the Euro 2000 quarter-finals and it will be interesting to see the response to a return to the traditional pre-Super League start time.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.