GEOFF Toovey admits the Bulls job will be his hardest challenge in rugby league – but he is ready to face it head-on.

The new coach gets his first glimpse of the team in action at Keighley tomorrow, the final friendly before next week's Championship opener against Hull KR.

Toovey knows he is up against the clock transforming a side that will also start with a 12-point deduction from the financial turmoil at Odsal.

Yet the former Aussie international and Manly coach, who has only been in England for two days, will not be put off by the scale of the task.

Speaking exclusively to the T&A, Toovey said: "When Andrew Chalmers and Graham Lowe approached me, I didn't realise how dire the situation was here for such a long time. It's my biggest challenge without a doubt.

"I did question a few things on Thursday – but I've always been up for a challenge. I hope the supporters bear with us as it's going to be a long road, particularly early on.

"The eyes have been dug out of the squad and it's going to take a bit of time – but I'm up for it.

"I always would have loved to have played here. That's one of my regrets that I never got the chance to do that.

"But to come over to coach and hopefully rebuild a club with such strong tradition and history is very important to me. I love being part of the RL culture here.

"I want to add something to this club. I want to feel the passion of the fans and enjoy the company of the players."

Eleven senior members of the squad have moved on over the winter, as well as highly-rated youngster Jake Trueman.

Toovey has long-term plans to rebuild the Academy and bring more local talent through the Odsal ranks.

But the immediate aim is to beef up a reduced roster that will also be missing winger Omari Caro with an ankle injury ahead of the big kick-off.

Toovey, 47, said: "We will be looking to bolster the squad in some way. I believe Graham has approached some clubs already for some loan players. We definitely will be in the market for players and talent.

"Unfortunately because of the lateness of the process and the comp starting in a week, players have obviously been signed elsewhere. There's not too much left in the market.

"It's a very difficult task but not an impossible one. We've got a lot of work to do but the spirits of the players are still high. It's incredible really.

"It's been decimated a little bit by the club being in disarray but I can't speak more highly of the staff that are here and have battled against all the odds to keep the place up and running.

"I've got a passionate group of staff down here. We are going to make a change and a difference.

"The fans are universally grateful that Andrew and Graham have come along and they still have a club to watch. It's going to be a long process but I'm looking forward to it."