EPALAHAME Lauaki could be unleashed on Featherstone when the Bulls travel to face their promotion rivals on Sunday.

The imposing Tongan prop has been steadily building up his match fitness since arriving in England earlier this month.

He was deemed not ready for the Leigh or Whitehaven matches but head coach Jimmy Lowes could throw him in against Andy Hay's Rovers.

Lauaki's availability would be a major boost to the Bulls squad, who – according to Lowes – are "down to the bare bones" for Sunday's clash.

Danny Williams and Harry Siejka are suspended, while Matty Blythe, Karl Davies, Danny Addy and Dave Petersen also remain sidelined but Dan Fleming and Dale Ferguson are also close to playing.

Lowe said: "We've got a few busted, so we're going to be down to the bare bones of the squad. We've got a few coming back over the next few weeks but they won't quite be ready for Sunday.

"But we've pushed Lauaki quite hard this week, so we're just going to see how he reacts over the next 24 hours. If he comes through, we might consider him for Sunday. If he doesn't and is struggling tomorrow, then we won't."

Garreth Carvell will not play on Sunday but Featherstone are set to include his fellow former Warrington prop Paul Wood. Rookie Jordan Baldwinson, who spent last season on loan at Odsal from Leeds Rhinos, is also likely to feature.

Lowes said: "I know Woody very well and he's a really good bloke. He's a solid player and has been for a number of years.

"Obviously we had Jordan here last year and I knew him from Leeds previously, while Carvell was one of my first signings at Warrington. I know him pretty well too, so they've got some pretty big units in their squad.

"But we've got some pretty big blokes ourselves in Adam Sidlow, Paul Clough and Samir Tahraoui. Then there is the potential of Lauaki playing as well and Dan Fleming is not far off either."

Lowes will also make a late call on whether to include Ferguson, who is edging closer to full fitness.

A persistent back problem hampered the second-rower for much of the season before he tore his groin off the bone towards the back end of the year.

Ferguson's rotten luck with injuries meant he played just seven times in 2014 and was often a frustrated spectator as the club sleepwalked towards relegation.

But Lowes said yesterday: "We've pushed Dale pretty hard this week and again, it's how he comes through in the next 48 hours.

"This week might be too soon, so we could look at Hunslet next week instead, but it will all be how he reacts."

Lowes is also undecided on who will replace the banned Siejka at scrum half, with Jake Mullaney and Adam Brook in contention and Ryan Shaw vying for a full back berth.

Williams is also missing due to a one-game ban and Lowes said: "It's disappointing because it was one punch and nothing more than a yellow card.

"The brawl shouldn't have happened but I can't get my head round why a yellow card on the field becomes a suspension.

"I think it's wrong and needs looking at. We're disappointed because it was a game full of late and high shots."

* The Bulls Under-19s lost 14-10 at home to Wigan last night.