ROHAN Smith is hopeful the Bulls' ownership issues will be signed and sealed this week ahead of his squad's return to training on January 2.

Hopes are high that Friday's formal offer for the club – from the last remaining bidder in the race – will be acceptable to the joint-administrators and a deal can be struck as early as today.

After six weeks in administration, that would bring some real festive cheers to Bulls players, staff and supporters alike.

Head coach Smith admits it would also allow his squad to sharpen their focus on the campaign's big kick-off at Hull KR on February 5.

He said: "We had already planned to be off for a week over Christmas. The boys trained throughout last week so were in really good shape going into that break.

"We're due to start back on January 2 and we're extremely hopeful that's the case so we can start really building towards the beginning of the season.

"I'm very excited about the squad that we have and nothing that has happened over the last couple of months has changed that feeling.

"Obviously, there has been a bit of uncertainty, but my belief and confidence in the group that we've got is strong, so I'm looking forward to putting the uncertainty behind us and building for the season."

Smith continued: "We're not preparing for friendly matches, we're preparing for the season ahead. The build-up matches will help us prepare and that's how we'll be approaching them.

"We're just looking forward to getting out there and playing some games and seeing how our relatively new group mould together and build towards what is hopefully a very strong season."