The joint administrator running the beleaguered Bradford Bulls was today expected to announce a first round of redundancies among the club’s staff.

With no money left to meet the £260,000 wage bill in July, Brendan Guilfoyle has said he cannot guarantee Sunday’s home game against London Broncos will go ahead.

The administrators at the Leeds-based P&A Partnership now have five working days left to find a buyer to save the Super League club from liquidation and extinction.

But with a tax bill of about £300,000 wiped out by going into administration, Mr Guilfoyle estimates it might cost any prospective new owner only about £500,000 to see the club through to the end of the season.

Bradford winger Karl Pryce has spoken of the “special bond” between the players which he believes will help them through the crisis threatening to engulf the club, who pulled off a stunning victory over table-toppers Wigan on Friday.

He said: “We showed desire, plain and simple, and a commitment to the cause and the fans who turn out week in, week out.

“They were fantastic. They’ve been with us since the crisis began.”

Mr Pryce said despite the crisis, the players were continuing business as usual.

And while redundancies might not be restricted to the backroom and office staff, Mr Pryce, one of 17 players out of contract at the end of the season, has said the uncertainty will not affect displays on the pitch.

He said: “It’s difficult. We’re going to talk about it but, as soon as we get into the changing room, it’s a totally different ball game. It’s at the back of your mind but it’s something you’ve got to get on with. We’ve a strong character in this team and we’d do anything for each other.”

Mr Guilfoyle said he has no offers to buy the club which is losing £100,000 a month and was anxiously waiting for his phone to ring.