DANE Chisholm can’t say he hasn’t been warned as he prepares for his first taste of derby action against Keighley.

The Aussie is expected to play about an hour at Cougar Park tomorrow as he continues to step up his comeback from last year’s serious knee injury.

It will be Chisholm’s second outing after a successful return in the Challenge Cup rout of West Wales Raiders.

And the atmosphere and intensity will crank up several notches for the first league clash between the neighbours in 42 years.

Chisholm got a glimpse of what the Bulls will face in the bruising pre-season duel at Odsal last month. But former Cougar Ross Peltier has also been ramming home the message to the play-maker.

Chisholm said: “I picked up Rossy Pelts from the train station the other day and he was filling me in a fair bit about it.

“Hopefully I’m playing and will be able to witness it first hand.

“The friendly game was pretty full on and it was probably lucky I didn’t play in that one. With the weather as well that day, I dodged a bullet there but it was funny to watch.

“But I can’t wait to be part of it this time. The crowd are going to be on to us playing away and it’s going to be full on.

“That’s why we play for that atmosphere. We know the Bradford fans are going to rock up and it’s a big derby.”

Chisholm came through 35 minutes a fortnight ago as John Kear eases him back into action. The Bulls coach is nursing him back into the picture – a policy helped by the way in-form youngster Brandon Pickersgill has started the season.

“It’s a headache for John whether I start or Pick because he’s been playing so well,” added Chisholm.

“I don’t know if we’re going to be doing this all season and swapping around or he’s going to be coming off the bench.

“But he’s deserved to keep his spot and I’m glad I’m not the head coach making that decision.”

Having signed a new deal at the end of last season while sidelined, Chisholm is hungry to start paying his way on the pitch again.

He said: “It was a bit of a gamble but Andrew (Chalmers) and (Vision On owner) Paul Dunnill put the faith in me (to convince me) to stay here.

“I did my best to repay them with all the hard work I’ve done getting back fit again and hopefully will do that on the field now.

“You can see we’re a strong team. JK has brought in a few additions – Dalton Grant has been an absolute weapon.

“It’s more of a forwards game right right now and he’s only going to get better when it starts drying up a bit.

“The way he carries that yardage has been awesome and it really helps out the forwards bashing each other up.

“I’m sure once conditions improve, you’ll see the likes of Ethan Ryan and Dalton finishing off some good ones and we’ll get Gregg (McNally) into some open space. Hopefully he can do more of those long-field tries.

“But we know it’s going to be another heavy pitch at Keighley.

“Us backs have just got to make our tackles and us halves have got to kick them to death. Hopefully we can do our jobs.”