AVOIDING relegation will be a "huge ask" for a new Bradford club in the Championship, one bidder has warned.

The deadline for interested parties to submit their application with the Rugby Football League is at midday.

According to sources, there have been about ten "serious expressions of interest" in touch with the governing body about forming a new club.

London businessman Richard Lamb, who tried unsuccessfully to buy the Bulls previously, is among those hoping to convince the RFL – but he knows the size of the task awaiting whichever bid is accepted.

There has been some criticism for the RFL's decision to place a new Odsal club back in the second tier rather than starting at the bottom. Yet with a 12-point penalty, Lamb admits the reformed side would be up against it.

"You've got to win at least half a dozen games to stand any chance of staying up and hope the other teams are struggling around you," he said.

"It will be a huge ask for any team to try and overcome that and stay up in the Championship. It can be done but speed is of the essence and everyone will be working hard to try and get things sorted.

"There's never a right or wrong answer. It's going to compete against some very good, well-managed, well-disciplined sides and you have to go with what is in front of you.

"The decision has been made by the RFL. They are the governing body. There's no point in going back and saying 'can we be relegated to another level or have the points deduction reduced'. It is what it is and you've just got to crack on with it."

Several established names in the former Bulls squad have already found new clubs, including James Clare, Kris Welham and Tom Olbison. They were then followed on Saturday by Adam O'Brien as Huddersfield Giants announced the 23-year-old's capture on a three-season contract.