GEORGE Flanagan hopes his fine comeback against former club Hunslet has earned him a spot in Sunday's League One summit clash.

Bulls host York City Knights in the title blockbuster and the hooker admits he is 'desperate' to be part of it, especially having missed the first clash between the sides.

The season opener at Bootham Crescent saw John Kear's men clinch a dramatic last-gasp 22-20 win thanks to a long-range penalty from Joe Keyes.

And Sunday's clash promises to be another thriller with the biggest crowd of the season at Odsal expected.

Flanagan said: "I didn't play in the first match against York as I was still a Hunslet player, but this game has been in the back of my mind for weeks, although I know that we take things week by week.

"It is one of those games that I am desperate to play in, and I hope that I have done enough to get a shot this week, although obviously Vila (Halafihi) and Sam (Hallas) are playing well together, but with it being as tough as glass out there that will stand us in good stead, and I hope that we get those two points."

Having joined the Bulls from Hunslet in February, the 31-year-old scored two tries against his old club after seven weeks out with a broken hand.

He said of last Sunday's return to South Leeds Stadium, where the Bulls won 36-16: "It felt good to be playing again and I have missed it.

"Leading up to the game with the injury, I knew that the Hunslet game was going to be about the one where I made my comeback.

"I am just glad that I put in a decent performance, although I am still a bit rusty at certain points and certain plays and was blowing up a little bit at the back end.

"It was still a bit scratchy and we can tidy up in a few key areas, but we have to be happy coming here and knocking Hunslet off.

"If I could help the team and lead us round the park, I knew if our middle was strong enough we would get on top of their middles, and I certainly think we did that and played to our pace.

"We put in a really professional performance, but a lot of the credit goes to the forward pack in that heat, and there

was hardly any wind out there at the South Leeds Stadium.

"Steve Crossley played about 76 minutes, and James Green gave a really professional performance on debut and one that we will need this week."

Flanagan's two tries in the second half helped the Bulls over the line, and showcased his trademark runs from dummy half.

He said: "I have done that all my career. I used to be that wiry hooker – from being a skinny little kid at Bradford and being smashed all over – and I have learnt to control that and get a bit of weight behind me.

"I am really enjoying myself at Bradford."

However, although most of his heart belongs to Bradford, a small piece of it is forever Hunslet.

Flanagan said: "Friendship aside, and I talk to some of their lads every day, they have been going really well and had won seven on the bounce but then had a disappointing result at Workington Town when they should have won.

"We knew that it would be a difficult task and I hope that they (Hunslet) get promotion."

"I loved my time at Hunslet. The fans and the staff have worked wonders for the club and I wish them all the success for the rest of the year, but obviously I am a Bradford lad, and Bradford is where it all happened for me."

Flanagan then explained that his move back to Bradford, where he initially came through their Academy system, and the chance to work with John Kear again were decisive factors in his return to Odsal.

The former Batley Bulldogs, Dewsbury Rams and Featherstone Rovers player said: "I made no secret of it that this was a dream move to come back here.

"I left as a young kid, and it kind of set me back a little bit and I didn't really reach my potential, but I have learnt to manage that.

"I was set back a little bit, but as I said to some of these Hunslet lads, I don't think that I would have left them for anybody else other than the chance to work with John Kear again – my home-town team who most of my family support.

"My little son is up here for every game, and it is something that I could not turn down and I am loving every minute of it so far, so I am going to enjoy it while it lasts."

Hunslet coach Gary Thornton congratulated Flanagan after the match, and the hooker said: "Gary Thornton signed me from Bradford as an Academy player to Batley and I have a lot of time for GT.

"He has done a lot for my career, I have nothing but respect for him and I wish him all the best for the future."