JOHN Kear seemingly had little hesitation in naming outside back Jonny Pownall in Bradford Bulls' 19-man squad for their home match against Whitehaven tomorrow.

The head coach said of the 26-year-old, who is on loan until the end of the season: "Jonny has done really well in training and is a high-quality player.

"He has had a lot of experience in the Championship playing for Leigh Centurions and Toronto Wolfpack and we are delighted to have him."

Also back in the 19 for the Betfred League One leaders are half-back Joe Keyes and hooker Sam Hallas, with Kear saying: "You know exactly what you are going to get with Sam, and they are exactly the kind of qualities that we will need against Whitehaven."

Hallas replaces George Flanagan for the contest against the fourth-placed visitors, and also missing out is full back Gregg McNally, who injured an ankle in the warm-up before last weekend's comprehensive victory at London Skolars.

However, Kear said: "Gregg is hurting at the moment, is a bit down and won't be involved this weekend.

"However, I am convinced that he will have a part to play in our campaign for the rest of the season."

Pownall was signed just before last week's transfer deadline, and he joined three other newcomers in Tuoyo Egodo, James Green and Jordan Lilley.

Kear said: "You need a lift, some freshness at this stage of the season, and that is exactly what this trio have brought.

"All three will be involved against Whitehaven."

Egodo, signed just two days before the Skolars match, had an eye-catching debut, making a lengthy break in the first half which probably deserved a try and then setting up prolific winger Ethan Ryan's second try.

Green, who has added some biff to the Bulls pack, also had a strong game in the 11-try romp.

Kear, meanwhile, has had his say on the bid by Bradford Council, Bradford Bulls and Keighley Cougars to stage a women's group at the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.

With the National Rugby League Museum due to be at City Hall by 2020 and Odsal being one of the most iconic stadiums in the sport, plus all of the history of the sport via Lawkholme Lane and Keighley Cougars, Kear said: "I am backing the bid and I hope that it is successful."

* Wakefield scrum-half Liam Finn will join League 1 club Newcastle Thunder when his loan stint with Super League Widnes expires at the end of the season.

The 34-year-old Ireland international is returning to Wakefield in October to join their coaching staff but will continue his playing career in the north-east under coach Jason Payne.

"I'm not really ready to hang my boots up yet and Jason asked if I would be interested in coming to Newcastle and he sold the club to me," Finn said.

"It's not something that I've really done before, play outside the rugby league corridor, so I started to get really excited about it and it is a fantastic opportunity to help some lads from outside the rugby league heartlands to improve and to try and help the club to where it wants to be."

Finn, who has played almost 400 games in a 16-year career and led Ireland in the 2017 World Cup, has signed a two-year contract with the Thunder.