Bulls coach Francis Cummins is on the verge of completing the signing of Salford prop Adam Sidlow.

A deal has been in the offing for several weeks and the powerhouse front-rower is understood to be keen to join the Bulls.

The imposing 25-year-old, who stands 6ft 4in and weighs in at over 17st, will bolster a pack decimated by the departure of Tom Burgess, Craig Kopczak, Bryn Hargreaves and Olivier Elima.

The City Reds are in the midst of a financial crisis and have agreed to release Sidlow from his contract as they seek to cut costs.

Salford were keen to sign Michael Platt in a part-exchange deal but their financial woes, coupled with the fact that Cummins views the centre as a valuable member of his squad, looks to have put paid to any such move.

Media and football manager Stuart Duffy is in regular contact with Sidlow’s agent – former Wigan, Widnes and New Zealand coach Frank Endacott – as the Bulls look to tie up the deal possibly before the end of this week.

Cummins, meanwhile, will give his squad a ten-day break over Christmas before they resume pre-season training early in the new year.

The Bulls boss said he has been delighted with the attitude of his men in recent weeks as they build towards the start of the 2013 campaign.

Cummins’ side will play friendlies against Dewsbury Rams (Sunday, January 13) and Leeds Rhinos (Sunday, January 20) before their Super League opener at home to Wakefield on Sunday, February 3 at the Provident Stadium, kick-off 3pm.