BULLS are hopeful of keeping Cory Aston for the Bottom Eights – but have given up on seeing Mikolaj Oledzki again.

Injury-ravaged Leeds Rhinos recalled the Polish-born powerhouse for their squad to face Wigan tonight. Cameron Smith has also been taken back by his parent club.

But Geoff Toovey is hoping that scrum half Aston will remain at Odsal when the Bulls begin the defence of the Championship Shield.

Aston’s month from Headingley will be up after the schedule has been drawn up for the final seven games of the campaign. Players cannot appear for more than one club in the Eights.

Toovey said: “Once you’ve played in the Eights for a team, you are quarantined to that team. You can’t play for anyone else.

“If Cory plays in the Eights for us, then he is here. We’ll have to wait for next week.

“It looks like we may lose Mik for the year possibly but Cameron Smith may be back.”

The Bulls have until midday to bolster numbers further in time to face Swinton in Sunday’s vital clash at Odsal.

But as with young playmaker Jordan Lilley, in-form prop Oledzki has been taken out of their planning.

“Those are the shortfalls of the loan system,” added Toovey. “But on the other side of that, if we didn’t have the loans we wouldn’t have any players at all.

“It’s a Catch-22. We appreciate the clubs loaning the players but it’s very disappointing when they get called back again.

“There are a few other players with some injuries around. We haven’t had a solid starting team to train this week.

“It’s a bit disjointed but hopefully a lot of those things will be finalised and you’ll see a strengthened side come Sunday against Swinton.”