IT is almost time for Lee Gaskell.

Time to assess all options, to consider the depth of his ambition and, ultimately, to decide where his future lies.

The Bulls are naturally keen to keep their best player at Odsal when his contract expires at the end of the season and will hope he signs a new deal.

Crucially, the former St Helens man is not adverse to staying at Bradford; far from it.

He has a genuine affection for a club who have treated him well since he was signed by Francis Cummins ahead of the 2014 campaign.

Players who are off-contract at the end of the year were free to speak to rival clubs from May 1 and Gaskell is due to hold talks with his agent shortly.

It is understood a big-money offer from rivals Leigh is on the table for Gaskell and Hull FC are also known admirers of the 25-year-old, with Leon Pryce being heavily linked with an Odsal return in 2017.

The conundrum for Gaskell, of course, is that there is no guarantee Leigh will be in Super League next year, while Hull is at the other side of the country from his St Helens home.

The daily commute from the north-west to Bradford in the 'Lancashire Bus' works well for Gaskell, a married father of two young children.

Gaskell is waiting with keen interest to see who the Bulls appoint as their new head coach following Jimmy Lowes' resignation.

Gold Coast Titans assistant coach Rohan Smith, son of former Bulls boss Brian Smith, boasts an amazing wealth of experience and has emerged as a leading contender.

Gaskell said of his future: "I want to get it sorted as soon as possible, to be honest.

"There are obviously a few things that have gone on off the field the field which have kept people on their toes.

"I'm sure the new coach will be appointed shortly so that the club and the players know where everyone is at.

"Will I have other options? Possibly, because from May 1 players can talk to other clubs.

"Obviously I want to play in Super League and I'd be lying if I said otherwise.

"But I'm happy here and enjoying myself, so there is no reason why I wouldn't stay.

"It has to work well for all parties and I'll be sitting down with my agent to see what's what.

"It has been a difficult time because of what's happened with Jimmy leaving and the club trying to find a new coach.

"My agent has kept out of the way, so it has been about waiting for the right time to sit down and discuss things.

"Bradford have always been good to me, so there is no reason why I would think any differently now.

"It's a good club and there are still Super League-quality players here in Adrian Purtell, Kris Welham, Adam Sidlow, Paul Clough and Adam O'Brien, who has just signed a new deal.

"I'm confident the club is going in the right direction and it was important to get OB to sign because he's a vital part of this team and will hopefully remain so for many years to come.

"His development over the last few years has been great and he's still only 22.

"It's good for us as players to see your team-mates tieing down their future to the club."

Gaskell is adamant that Bradford remain well placed to compete for promotion in the middle eights and is not overly concerned by a run of just three wins in the last nine games.

He reasoned: "No disrespect to the Championship, because you want to win every game, but it doesn't matter as long as you get in those middle eights.

"If we're not performing come the middle eights, I think that's when people can start pressing panic button.

"But we're looking to go on a winning run now and really push on.

"People say 'we need a scrum half' – but there are two half-backs in the team and I'm playing there too, so I've got to take responsibility as well.

"Just because someone who is playing there is not a recognised half-back, I don't think it's fair for them to take all the flak.

"I'm the more experienced half-back, so I should really be taking control and bossing the team around the field.

"To single out other players in that role for criticism is wrong and I don't think that's the position we are lacking in.

"It's been more a case of the team as a whole not being at the races some days, so to pinpoint that one position is unfair."

The Bulls are looking to bolster their squad with a natural scrum half and further additions, with Gaskell saying: "You would look to add a few numbers maybe as we get closer to the middle eights.

"I'm confident we can beat anyone with the side we've got at the moment anyway.

"Maybe with a few additions we could really surprise a few people because I think a few people have written us off already."

Gaskell has missed the Bulls' past two games with a hamstring strain but added: "It's frustrating but I'll definitely be back for Swinton next week."