JOE Philbin will be reunited with some familiar faces when he kicks off his latest spell with the Bulls against Halifax tomorrow.

Two and a half years ago, the Warrington forward and then team-mates James Saltonstall and Tom Walker joined Bradford on short-term loans during pre-season.

Of the trio, only Philbin remains a Wolves player, with Saltonstall having since joined Halifax and Walker back in his native Cumbria at Workington.

Philbin, who played for the Bulls under Francis Cummins in pre-season friendlies against Hull, Dewsbury and Castleford in January 2014, will cross swords with Saltonstall in tomorrow's derby.

He is also likely to catch up with Halifax boss Richard Marshall, who nurtured him in the youth ranks at Warrington and helped to make him the player he is today.

The burly forward said: "Richard was a massive part of my development at Warrington.

"We used to have something called the Wolfpack before you went full-time but were at the top end of the academy.

"As the youth team coach, Rich was the leader of that, so he had about eight of us at a time who would do extra sessions with him.

"He's since done very well since taking charge at Halifax. He inherited a good squad but is also very good at what he does.

"That showed last season when he was named Championship coach of the year. I'm looking forward to seeing him again."

The 21-year-old has made four appearances for Warrington this season but moved to Odsal to gain more first-team minutes.

Since making his first-team debut for Warrington in 2014, the second-rower has made 23 appearances for Tony Smith's side.

Philbin said: "I wouldn't say I have fallen down the pecking order at Warrington. We have obviously recruited a lot of top-quality players and I just need to get some games under my belt at a top side.

"Luckily Bradford came in and I jumped at the opportunity, so I'm really excited to be playing every week.

"I was pretty shy last time I was here because it was my first experience in a full-time environment.

"But it's completely different now. I've had a few sessions this week and have been surprised by how good the standard is."

Philbin is noted for his aggression and hard-running style, with his physique enabling him to play in the front and back row.

He said: "Last year I played a lot of back row but I'm happy to play in the middle or out on the edges. I'll play anywhere and it's up to Rohan (Smith) where he sees me.

"I like to run as hard and fast as I can and try and bust some tackles.

"I'm contracted at Warrington until the end of next season but I'm thinking about nothing else but this one-month loan.

"I'm a Warrington player but I'll give my heart and soul for the Bradford jersey during this next month.

"Could the loan be extended further? I suppose it all depends on how I go, if Bradford are keen on it and where Warrington are at the time with their squad.

"I looked at the fixtures when I realised I was coming here and saw we had Halifax and Leigh.

"I'm buzzing about that because they are the kind of games you want to be playing in.

"It's very tight and there are three or four sides scrapping for those last two places. We could do with two wins in the next two games."