Bradford Bulls war of words with Hull over top junior prospect Lee Radford moved into overdrive today.

Radford sparked a storm at the Boulevard recently when he agreed a three-year contract at Odsal and now the clubs are at loggerheads over the fee with Hull set to demand in excess of £100,000.

The Bulls have offered £20,000 for the 19-year-old back-rower but Sharks chief executive Mike Appleton described it as derisory and added: "Maybe we have been a little naive but the way Bradford have gone about things is disgraceful.

"One week they are looking for us to support them at Super League meetings, the next they are pinching a player from us behind our backs.

"Legally they might not have done anything wrong, or broken any rules, but surely you should approach the club first, especially when that player is under contract.

"Lee still had six months of his contract to run and they took advantage. At no point did we want to let him go and we always intended to sign him but we didn't get the chance."

But Bulls coach Matthew Elliott feels the Sharks are merely covering their tracks in a bid to avoid criticism from the fans.

"They can talk all they like but the bottom line is that their administration made a mess of the situation.

"We have made a very sensible cash offer but the matter looks set to go to tribunal. We feel that although is a good prospect our valuation is more realistic because he has only just broken into the first team."

Radford has been described as the best junior prospect on the East coast since Great Britain ace Lee Crooks.

Meanwhile the Bulls are stepping up preparations ahead of their make or break elimination semi-final at St Helens on Friday night.

Centre Nathan McAvoy was an injury worry after limping off against his old club Salford on Sunday but Elliott expects him to be available.

"We had the day off yesterday but now it's full steam ahead for Friday. We will be using the time to make sure we get preparation spot on."

Mike Forshaw, Stuart Spruce, Abi Ekoku and Brian McDermott are all expected to return after injury.

Elliott will be watching today's meeting of the disciplinary closely after being highly critical of the tackle by Salford skipper David Bradbury which left Harvey Howard nursing a badly bruised jaw.

"Players in should not be subjected to playing with the danger of that happening and I must pose the question as to why Bradbury behaved in an over aggressive manner for the entire game before being sent off.

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