Paul Deacon is out of the Hull KR clash having undergone knee surgery to correct a long-term injury.

The Bulls skipper is also likely to miss the Carnegie Challenge Cup tie with Toulouse but should be back for Wigan's visit on April 27.

Boss Steve McNamara said: "Paul has been struggling with a cartilage problem since day one of the season.

"He suffered it right at the start and it's really held him back in terms of the training he's been able to do with the full squad.

"It got to the stage where it got too bad and it was starting to really prove a hindrance to him.

"We decided to get an operation done and it was real simple, just flicking a small piece of cartilage out and away you go.

"He'll miss tomorrow and next week but he should be back for Wigan."

Despite the niggle, the 29-year-old scrum half has been in inspirational form, proving a driving force in the club's recent three-match winning run.

Leading points scorer Deacon has been ever-present so far but McNamara has a ready-made replacement in Iestyn Harris as the Bulls look to continue their climb up the Super League ladder.

The Odsal chief is also buoyed by the return of Australian Glenn Morrison after a five-week lay-off.

Morrison is also in line to take over the captaincy and McNamara said: "Glenn was dying to play last week and could have done at a push.

"We kept him back but he's certainly ready this time and we've got Terry Newton back from suspension, which is a big boost.

"Tame Tupou is also available again and we're hoping David Solomona will be fit too, so although we've not got a full squad we're getting there."

Kiwi winger Tupou has been missing for the last month with a knee injury but is included in the 19-man squad that journeys to Craven Park.

Bulls (from): Sykes, Halley, Godwin, Newton, Lynch, Nero, Hape, Tadulala, Burgess, Kopczak, Langley, Harris, Morrison, Solomona, Finnigan, Evans, Feather, Tupou, Jeffries.

  • Start or join a debate on this issue in our on-line forum - Click here