James Lowes is set to hold talks with the Bulls after being granted permission to speak to the club about the current coaching vacancy.

After Francis Cummins and his assistant Lee St Hilaire were unseated on Monday, legendary former Bradford hooker Lowes told the Telegraph & Argus of his desire to land the post.

He said: “I’d like to at least sit down and talk with Marc Green to hear his plans.

“That would be the first step and it would be nice to meet with the bloke.

“But it’s obviously a job I’d love to do whether it’s now or in the future. It’s Bradford Bulls – it’s my club.”

Lowes is currently head coach of rugby union outfit Leeds Carnegie and is contracted for next season.

Carnegie issued a hands-off warning to the Bulls yesterday but today they have relented and say they “reluctantly agreed” to allow Lowes to speak to his former club.

Leeds chairman Sir Ian McGeechan said: "Following our statement yesterday regarding the speculation linking James Lowes to the vacant head coach’s position at Bradford Bulls we can confirm that James has since asked the club for permission to speak with Bradford and we therefore have reluctantly agreed to his request."

John Kear and Glenn Morrison have also emerged as strong contenders but captain Matt Diskin looks certain to take temporary charge of Friday’s home game with Hull KR.