THE Bulls will offer James Laithwaite the security of a new deal after it was confirmed he faces a long-term absence with a broken leg.

The second-rower, currently on loan at Odsal from Toronto Wolfpack, is out of contract at the end of the season.

But John Kear has indicated the Bulls will still go ahead with their plan to sign him up for 2019.

The Bulls head coach said: “It is a complicated break because it’s where the knee joint rests on his tibia.

“It involves an operation and he’s certainly out for the season. Realistically we’re looking at a six-month recovery period.

“James has been outstanding and the standard of his play has been first class.

“It is a blow to us and to James, especially as he’s out of contract at the end of the season.

“But I don’t think that’s going to impact on our decision to pursue him.

“We try to recruit people we feel can get us to the top end of the Championship and James Laithwaite certainly could do that.”

Ashley Gibson was another casualty from the Hunslet match and is also set to miss the remaining nine games of the League One promotion push with a broken thumb.

Lee Smith’s timely return will fill the gap for Sunday’s table-topping showdown with York at Odsal. But Kear admits it is tough to be losing one of the season’s unsung heroes.

“Ashley has been one of our most consistent performers,” he added. “He’s been tremendous defensively down our right-hand side.

“He hasn’t run 80 metres for a try so it’s not always blatantly obvious. But I tell you, there haven’t been many people who’ve run 80 metres against us down the opposition left either.

“It’s another blow and he’s got to have a surgical procedure on the thumb to pin it. It looks very much that it’s minimum six weeks but more likely season-ending.

“He’s got to have the pin in for four to six weeks. When that’s removed, you’ve then got the healing process.

“But that’s offset by the high likelihood that Lee Smith will be fit, able and willing. It basically becomes a straight swap.”