IT wouldn't be a surprise if Joe Keyes and Gregg McNally feel under a certain amount of pressure when they return to the Bradford Bulls line-up tomorrow at home to North Wales Crusaders.

Half-back Keyes, who was just finding form again after a knee injury suffered while playing in last November's World Cup, has been out since early May with a back injury.

That has restricted him to nine appearances in competitive matches so far this season, while full back McNally has played three games fewer and has been out for two months with a recurring quad injury.

In the meantime, the Bulls, who have only lost two of their 14 matches thus far (Workington Town beat them 17-16 away in the league and Warrington Wolves despatched them 54-6 in the Challenge Cup) have been successfully steered around at stand-off by Brandon Pickersgill, Elliot Minchella or Rowan Milnes.

Keyes admitted ahead of the Crusaders' visit to Odsal: "The pressure is on Gregg (McNally) and myself after the lads filled in perfectly.

"They have done everything that was asked of them in our absence, and John is going to have a few selection headaches.

"But luckily I have only missed four matches. It could have been a lot worse and I am fit and healthy and ready to go again.

"The boys have been playing really well the last few weeks and there is a lot of competition for places, but I can't wait to get out there again,

"I will just do my best for the team, and that is what I have been trying to do all year and it has worked out all right so far hopefully I can find a bit of form again."

As for the back injury, Keyes admitted: "It was frustrating as I was just getting back to fitness after the World Cup but it is part of the sport and happens all the time."

As for facing North Wales, London-born Keyes said: "They have been going well, and we try and respect any team that comes to Odsal or that we go and visit, so that won't be any different to usual, but we will have to be on our game to come away with two points.

"Teams have come at us all year, so we are getting used to that now it in terms of throwing the kitchen sink at us and finding ways of starting better and I am sure it won't be any different tomorrow."