LEE Gaskell is confident the Bulls' new-look squad will be able to topple Super League opposition in next season's Super Eight play-offs.

Jimmy Lowes' men must finish in the top four of the Championship to qualify for the middle-eight, where they will face the bottom four sides in Super League.

The top-flight teams have a significant advantage over their second-tier rivals in that they can spend £1.825million on the salary cap, while the limit for Championship clubs is £1million.

Furthermore, Super League clubs will receive £1.6million in central distribution next year whereas the Bulls will get just over £750,000.

Yet Gaskell, who should be one of the most influential players in the Championship next term, points to the fact that Bradford beat the likes of Leeds, Wigan and Hull towards the end of last season and is confident they have the quality to make an immediate return to the elite.

"Everyone at Bradford believes they are a Super League player and, with the squad we've assembled, nobody wants to stay in the Championship for more than one season," said the highly-regarded stand-off.

"I firmly believe we can go into the play-offs at the end of next year and beat any Super League team – and I don't think anything less is expected.

"Our confidence hasn't dropped and we are determined to go all the way next season.

"Looking at the bigger picture, it's going to be a test for Bradford. Sometimes you just have to take a hit to regroup and come back stronger. That's certainly what we're looking to do."

Gaskell, meanwhile, has applauded the appointment of Chev Walker as the Bulls' new captain.

"As soon as I joined Bradford, I travelled over with Chev and I don't think anyone could have a bad word about him," he said.

"He's the ultimate professional and is one of those people you can go to if you've got any problems inside or outside of rugby.

"They're the type of blokes you need in the Championship because there are going to be some hard tests next season.

"We need to stay strong and Chev has definitely got the mental strength to hold us all together."

Gaskell, meanwhile, admits he is more settled on and off the pitch after recently tieing the knot with long-term girlfriend Courtney.

The couple have a four-year-old son called Leo and spent their honeymoon in Budapest.

"We've been together for over seven years now and she has always been very good at putting me on the straight and narrow," said Gaskell.

"My little lad Leo is a credit to me and Courtney. He comes to the games and he gets excited, so it's all credit to those two.

"That's what I play rugby for – to make sure they have a nice lifestyle – and they love coming to games at Bradford."