BULLS boss Steve Ferres has confirmed the search for a scrum half is ongoing and revealed the club narrowly missed out on two targets in recent weeks.

Bradford have been looking to add a number seven to their squad since the departure of Harry Siejka at the end of last season.

Although Danny Addy, Oscar Thomas, Adrian Purtell and even Kurt Haggerty have been deployed in the halves this year, supporters are keen to see a natural scrum half arrive to play alongside Lee Gaskell.

Managing director Ferres is constantly scouring the market for that elusive playmaker and he said the Bulls recently came close to landing their man, only for injuries to scupper their hopes.

The search will continue and new head coach Rohan Smith could seek to recruit players he has worked with previously in the NRL or perhaps secure loan signings from Warrington, where his uncle Tony Smith is head coach.

Ferres said: “We’ve got to make some additions to the team and we need a half back.

“It goes without saying that we cannot operate any longer without one.

“Rohan knows that and we are acutely aware of that – but we’re not just going to sign one for the sake of it.

“In reality, there are not many half-backs available and the two we have tried to sign over the past couple of months have suffered injuries at their clubs.

“Therefore they aren’t available at this moment in time, but that could change later in the season.

“As ever, we are constantly scouring the market, seeing what’s out there and looking to improve the squad.”