Adrian Purtell is hoping to be given the green light to resume playing today – and he could return for Sunday’s home clash with Hull KR.

The Aussie centre has not played since suffering a heart attack in the aftermath of the Magic Weekend defeat to Leeds last May.

He has been on medication to thin his blood and has an appointment with a specialist in London today which could give him the go-ahead to return to action.

Bulls coach Francis Cummins said: “Adrian goes down to see a specialist in London this morning and may well get the green light to come into contention.

“It might not be how I planned it but he could feature in the game on Sunday.

“It would be great for him, great for the club and great for the game to see him back.”

Purtell’s return would be a major boost to Cummins as his small squad battles under a weight of injuries which could leave them down to the bare bones for Sunday’s game.

John Bateman is set to make his first Super League appearance of the season and Jamie Foster is also hopeful of being passed fit after missing Friday’s draw at Widnes with a shoulder problem.

But Chev Walker (ankle), Matty Blythe (ankle) and Jamie Langley (groin) picked up knocks at the Stobart Stadium and Matt Diskin fell ill after the game.

“We’re very light at the moment,” admitted Cummins.

“We’ve trained for two days this week and had 12 players training. We’ve probably got three or four who are real doubts and the rest are just wrapped in cotton wool.

“The playing surface at Widnes has probably knocked us around a bit so we’re having to go really light on a lot of people.

“Blythe, Walker and Langley are the main concerns at the moment but there are a few other bumps and bruises as well.”

Diskin was taken ill after the game and went to hospital before later being discharged.

Cummins said: “Matt is currently having blood tests to see why it happened. Until we get to know exactly what it was – and what caused it – then he’s got to just do nothing.

“I think he’s had an allergic reaction to something but until we get the results then we don’t know.”

Cummins revealed that Luke Gale will see a specialist on Friday as he closes in on a return from ankle surgery.

* Widnes second-row forward Gareth Hock will miss his club’s trip to France this weekend after being handed a one-match ban.

The England man was given the punishment after being sent off for using foul and abusive language to a match official during the Vikings’ 22-22 draw with the Bulls last Friday.

Hock, who is on a season-long loan from Wigan, was found guilty of the grade B offence when he appeared in front of the Rugby Football League’s disciplinary panel in Leeds last night.

He will sit out Saturday’s game against Catalan Dragons in Perpignan and is facing a fortnight’s lay-off because he is prevented from playing against his old club when Widnes meet Wigan a week later.