ADRIAN Purtell is adamant the Bulls can push for promotion and glory in the Challenge Cup ahead of tonight's fifth-round draw.

The Australian centre registered his first hat-trick for the club in Sunday's 74-6 demolition of Workington.

He is now relishing this evening's draw, where the Bulls could face Super League opposition in Wakefield, Salford, Hull or Hull KR.

Purtell said: "First and foremost, we want to win promotion back to Super League. But the Challenge Cup is a massive competition and a proud one which Bradford have won more than once in the club's recent history.

"Whoever we are drawn against, we're confident we can put up a good show against anyone on our day and we want to go as far as we can. I can't see any reason why we can't have a crack at winning promotion and lifting the Challenge Cup."

Now in his fourth season with the Bulls, Purtell has experienced some painful Challenge Cup defeats – including last year's 46-10 home loss to Warrington in the quarter-finals.

He said: "We had London down there in 2013 but we didn't play very well and they rolled us over. We've played Warrington a couple of times as well and lost, so I'd love to go far in the competition this year.

"You go out every week to win and we've got a big, strong squad, so depth shouldn't be a problem this season. We've got blokes coming back and fighting for places in the team, which is always healthy."

Purtell had missed the win at Batley the week before with a minor hamstring strain but returned to action against Workington with a well-taken treble.

He said: "It was just good to get back playing, to be honest. When I first saw the physio, we thought I would be out for two to three weeks.

"I guess it was on the quick side to come back – but I don't like missing games through injury. I always work hard to try and get back as quickly as I can. The medical staff have helped me out and I got back in time to play in Sunday's game.

"We probably made it a bit hard on ourselves in that first half than we had to again. That has been a theme this year, but the boys showed enough character to get through that and really push on again."

There is fierce competition for places this season but Purtell is determined to continue as one of Jimmy Lowes' first-choice centres.

The 30-year-old said: "I find that's when you play your best footie, when you're playing week in and week out, as you get better combinations and get used to playing the game with the blokes around you. No-one likes to miss any games and I'm no different.

"I'm quite happy with my form so far this year, although I guess you always want to be better. Whenever you play a game, you always think about what you could do differently and improve on.

"You never play the perfect game but at the moment things are going steadily and I just want to keep improving."