GEOFF Toovey hopes to have Lee Smith back in the Bulls' ranks in time for the Bottom Eights.

The former England international has been a huge miss during the troubled Championship campaign.

Smith has been sidelined with a knee injury for nearly four months and has not played since the loss at Oldham in round eight.

But Toovey is cautiously optimistic that the 30-year-old utility back could be back in the reckoning for the opening match in the Qualifiers, which start the weekend after next.

Toovey said: "We really need to get some players back. Maybe we'll have that positive in two weeks' time, which will be very handy for us and a good mental boost.

"I think Ross Oakes will be doubtful but we're hoping Lee Smith might be all right. But those things seem to be going against us this year, so I wouldn't put my house on it."

The Bulls will monitor Ross Peltier after his early return from an ankle injury was cut short when it flared up again during the defeat to Swinton on Sunday.

The free week before the next stage of the season should give the popular forward time for it to settle down.

Toovey said: "Ross came off with his ankle again, so hopefully he'll be over that.

"We've got some niggling injuries, particularly Keysey (Joe Keyes) with his back.

"In hindsight, I probably shouldn't have played him on Sunday, so I'll take that on board. It was just one of those risks that we took."

The Bulls face home games against Rochdale, Toulouse and Batley in the Bottom Eights while travelling to Oldham, Swinton, Dewsbury and Sheffield. The fixture schedule will be announced by the Rugby Football League tomorrow morning.

"Our squad won't probably change much at all, apart from possibly getting some players back," said Toovey.

"But it will be a boost to get good players we've been missing for several months back on the paddock.

"We've got some bumps and bruises – but everyone's in the same boat in the league. It will be good timing for us to get one or two back and that will help morale in the team."