JOHN Kear cannot wait to unload two more big guns on the Bulls’ opponents.

New signing George Flanagan and fit-again Dane Chisholm are both in the squad for Sunday’s Challenge Cup third-round tie with West Wales Raiders.

Free-scoring hooker Flanagan, who signed yesterday on a two-year deal from Hunslet, bagged 25 tries last season.

And Chisholm’s explosiveness will add another potent weapon to the Bulls arsenal as he gets his first minutes since knee reconstruction last summer.

Kear said: “I feel with the signing of George and the fitness of Dane, we’ve got a half-decent squad here and one that can challenge for that top spot.

“You look at Flanagan, Chisholm, (Joe) Keyes and (Gregg) McNally – that isn’t a bad spine of the team. There are a lot of points in those four.”

With the experience of 31-year-old Flanagan, a former Bulls junior, Kear believes his squad is now properly equipped for the season ahead.

He hopes Flanagan’s know-how will rub off on fellow hookers Sam Hallas, Vila Halafihi and Reiss Butterworth.

The Bulls coach added: “We are a very young team and we’re trying to add experience in key positions – and obviously hooker is one of those.

“That’s not to play down what the others have done. But they are all very young men.

“That’s exactly the reason George has been brought in. I’m hoping he grooms and moulds his own successor, in all honesty.

“I’m looking for the others, particularly Reiss, to learn from him and get the craft of the hooker from a well-established and experienced player.

“Everybody knows what he does. But it’s one thing knowing about it, another thing stopping it.

“He scored 25 tries last year which isn’t a bad return. If he does the same this year, I think he will have been a sound investment.”

Flanagan had another season on his contract at Hunslet, who were reluctant to lose their captain and current player of the year.

Kear knows all about his talent from two seasons together with Batley, culminating in a performance in the Championship Grand Final in 2013.

“They were two very successful years and George was instrumental in that,” he said. “I would never question George’s desire and competitiveness.

“George is 31 and has played many Championship and League One games as well as at the elite level for Featherstone and in Grand Finals for Batley.

“He was halfway through a contract and has contributed greatly to them with his try-scoring record.

“He’s only got good things to say about Hunslet but it was just the appeal of Bradford Bulls and the journey we’re starting upon. He wanted to be part of it.

“We just felt he was a great fit and he was absolutely bursting to join us. It’s worked out really well.”

The Bulls had an average age well under 24 in the win over York. Kear believes the signing of the well-travelled Flanagan helps to redress the balance in the squad.

“We’ve got the experience in crucial areas now to go with some great young players.

“The only additions we’d maybe look at now would be temporary as part of the dual-reg with Toronto. We’ll use that if we deem it necessary.

“Andrew Chalmers has been marvellous with me in getting George and we feel really comfortable with what we’ve got.

“Now it’s a matter of getting our heads down and cracking on with the season.”