STEVE Ferres admits there are no guarantees the Bulls will finish in the top four of the Championship and reach the Qualifiers next season.

Jimmy Lowes’ side claimed second spot at the end of the 23 weekly rounds in 2015 but the competition looks certain to be far more competitive next term.

Sheffield are going full-time, Leigh are spending big and the likes of Featherstone and Halifax are also expected to pose a significant threat.

Managing director Ferres said: “We don’t know exactly how strong the Championship is going to be next season – but we do know it will be a lot stronger.

“We might not even get in the top four and it will certainly be tougher to do that next season than it was last year.

“But that’s our aim and once we are in there, then you have to get your game to the level you need it to be, whether it be home or away.

“It’s a massive season for us, as last season was, but I think everybody knows now what the new concept is all about and the intensity required going into the Qualifiers and the speed around the ruck.

“It’s not easy for Championship clubs to get to that level – it’s bad enough going into a one-off Challenge Cup game against a Super League side.

“But the Qualifiers are a very difficult ask and I think that was proven by only ourselves and Sheffield winning against a Super League side. Nobody is under any illusions how tough it’s going to be.”

Leigh finished six points clear of the Bulls at the top of the Championship at the end of the 23 weekly rounds before they flopped in the Qualifiers.

But Paul Rowley’s side have since strengthened considerably and look certain to be significantly stronger next year.

Ferres added: “Leigh are going to start as favourites again because it looks like they are strengthening very well.

“They had an outstanding team this year but they will have an exceptional side next season.

“Halifax and Sheffield are both strengthening while Featherstone are completely renewing their team and promotion push.

“We added to our squad at the back end of the season and the ironic thing was that the only time we had everyone available was for the last game at Wakefield.

“Jimmy hadn’t previously been able to do that – either Jake Mullaney, Harry Siejka, or Lee Gaskell was out.

“It went on and on and on, so we can count ourselves a bit unlucky with injuries.

“But again, we’ve got to look to next season at how we can get better at getting more out of our players. Hopefully we can put ourselves in a similar position to go up in 2016.

“I hope to think we will be a lot nearer (to promotion) but you can’t underestimate the challenge the other teams will present.

“You’ve also got Dewsbury, where Glenn Morrison has done a great job over the last few seasons.

“Workington got tougher towards the end of the year when Jarrod Sammut went there and we had a couple of great tussles with Batley.

“John Kear will always have his players fired up and we still have the stigma of going to these clubs and everyone wanting to turn us over. It’s not going to be easy.”