JOHN Kear is hoping that Bradford Bulls fans will see the best of Dane Chisholm for the rest of 2018.

The 27-year-old Australian is working his way back to fitness after suffering a season-ending knee injury in his only appearance last May against Hull KR in the Summer Bash at Blackpool.

The Bulls play their re-arranged Ladbrokes Challenge Cup tie at Hunslet today (2pm) for the right to travel to Warrington Wolves, and Kear has been carefully increasing the half-back's game-time.

The veteran coach said of Chisholm's recovery and display in the 30-12 home win against Oldham on Good Friday: "With Dane it was 30 minutes, 50 minutes, a full game against Hunslet (in the league), and Oldham was really the first time I felt that he has been confident and comfortable, and that is why it was so pleasing to see him go under the posts."

Chisholm finished off the try of the game, started by full back Gregg McNally counter-attacking from near his own line, and Kear added: "This is the first time that I feel we have seen the Dane Chisholm that we expect for the rest of the season, and it was pretty good wasn't it?

"We need a firm pitch and you saw the potential of a really good team when you saw the Chisholm try when McNally returned the ball. It was a really good rugby league was that."

With Joe Keyes unavailable today due to a head injury suffered against Oldham, Chisholm is expected to partner Brandon Pickersgill in the halves, although Elliot Minchella could also figure there.

Meanwhile, Kear also recognises the value of props Callum Bustin, who is on loan from Castleford Tigers, and Steve Crossley.

Kear said: "Callum Bustin is doing great, and he follows his 'dad' Steve Crossley.

"They look so alike and their body shapes are so similar and they really do take some putting down because they are big, powerful men and they have set the platform, but we cannot pat ourselves on the back too much because we had a medical call-up and a bit of recovery on Saturday and a team run yesterday and we have a game today."