WITH Dec Patton sold to Swinton, Tom Holmes on his way back from cancer treatment and Lee Gaskell out with an injured hamstring, Billy Jowitt looked odds-on to be partnering Jordan Lilley in the halves this evening against Halifax at Odsal.

But the 22-year-old has not even made the 21-man squad for the Betfred Championship clash, despite starting on opening night at Wakefield, and being trusted to do a job out of position in the centres and on the wing.

Instead, the natural half-back played at full-back, a position he has previously excelled in, in a reserves game for Bradford against Wigan a few days ago, which turned out not to be preparation for tonight’s Good Friday derby.

Instead, hooker Mitch Souter or loose forward Sam Hallas look most likely to slot in alongside Lilley for the fixture.

Explaining Jowitt’s surprise omission, given he is not carrying an injury either, Bulls head coach Eamon O’Carroll said: “Billy’s been unlucky really.

“He’s had a disrupted start to the season, having to play in multiple positions to cover injuries, and he was playing in that reserves game because I wanted to see him at full back.

“Listen, we love him, he’s a great lad and a pleasure to coach.

“But we’ve got a squad of 20-odd players and it’s a long old season.

“It feels like we’re a lot further through because of the cup games but it’s only round two in the league.

“It’s a big season and we are going to need Billy for it.”

Zac Fulton, Tyran Ott, Connor Carr and Max Wood do make the 21-man squad, despite all only arriving at the club in the past fortnight.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Max Wood gets tackled while in action for parent club Warrington against London Broncos in a Super League game earlier this month.Max Wood gets tackled while in action for parent club Warrington against London Broncos in a Super League game earlier this month. (Image: PA.)

O’Carroll said on Wednesday afternoon: “We need to see how those four go in their final training session.

“But we’ve brought them in with a view to them playing against Halifax and I’m confident all four of them can do a job for us if needed.”

As for the game itself between two of rugby league’s most storied rivals, O’Carroll enthused: “I’m really looking forward to it.

“We’ve got a very good squad going into the game, despite all the injuries we have.

“Among the lads who are available, there’s a lot of quality.

“With Fax, whether they’re affected positively or negatively by that tough Challenge Cup game against Catalans last weekend, only they’ll know that, not us.”