THE 'zero party' may have been postponed but the Bulls can still celebrate this weekend, according to full back Oscar Thomas.

Optimistic supporters had been targeting today's home game against Sheffield Eagles as the fixture when the Bulls wiped out the 12-point penalty imposed by the Rugby Football League.

However, last weekend's defeat at Oldham means the Bulls are still on minus four and a minimum of two games away from reaching zero points.

Thomas, who returns to action after three weeks on the sidelines with a toe injury, insists that eight points from the first eight games of the season is no 'failure' for a club that so nearly folded three months ago.

"We know we still have to get two wins before we can start looking at doing anything this season," he said. "But I would definitely have settled for this position after eight games.

"Because of the pre-season, we tend to look at things bleaker than they are. But to be at this point – looking like we could be on zero in the next couple of weeks? I would definitely have taken that at the start of the season!"

Thomas admits that it has been frustrating watching from the stands as the Bulls have battled to move off the bottom of the Championship table.

"It was definitely frustrating," he said. "Against Dewsbury, we had a good turn out and 50 on the other team but it was the polar opposite against Oldham last weekend.

"I had different feelings during that game, I wanted to be out there just to help the team with what I bring. Hopefully, we can right the wrongs of the Oldham game and get the win this weekend.

"There is a determination and a grit to show that last week was more of a blip than what was actually deserved," he added. "We have been training hard this week and going over what we did wrong."

Thomas believes that Sheffield are among the clubs likely to be involved in this season's battle to avoid relegation

"It's hard to tell at the start of the season but, from the results so far, I would say Sheffield, Oldham, and Dewsbury will be fighting with us to stay up. So it's games like this where we need to win and rattle them off.

"Sheffield are a tough side and they have been getting results over the last couple of weeks. They are probably a better side than what they have shown at the start of the year.

"We are expecting a tough game, a big side, nothing different to the other teams but we will take a look at the video and work out what we are going to do to stop them."

On his injury situation, Thomas said: "It was a ligament strain in the big toe and you don't realise how much you need it until its gone.

"Hopefully, I can come back now and keep the form that I was on. We will have to see, but I am feeling good."