The Bulls have launched an audacious bid to lure Leeds Rhinos hooker Matt Diskin to Odsal.

Diskin hasn't played since rupturing a knee ligament on his Great Britain debut against New Zealand in November but is expected to return for the Rhinos midway through this season.

But the 2004 Harry Sunderland trophy winner is out of contract at Headingley at the end of Super League X and the T&A understands the Bulls are prepared to buy out the remaining months on his contract to bring him to Odsal as a replacement for Ryan Hudson, who is likely to receive a lengthy ban after the RFL yesterday revealed he faces an inquiry into a positive test for the anabolic steroid stanozolol.

Club spokesman Stuart Duffy confirmed the Bulls have made an official approach for Diskin and are awaiting a reply.

"I can confirm that we have approached Leeds and asked as to the availability of Matt Diskin," said Duffy. "As yet we have received no response from Leeds."

The Rhinos are unlikely to willingly part with Diskin but they may be tempted to cash in on the player, depending on how negotiations on a contract extension progress.

Unless granted permission by the Rhinos, the Bulls are unable to discuss terms with Diskin. However, the club would be likely to at least match the deal offered to Hudson - believed to be in the region of £250,000 over three years.

With a host of young stars such as Richard Mathers, Chev Walker and Ryan Bailey all due contract upgrades - not to mention Danny McGuire's recent five-year extension - the Rhinos may struggle to match Diskin's salary demands.

Rhinos spokesman Phil Daly said the club were not aware of any approach for Diskin and that any bid had likely been launched in retaliation for the Rhinos' approaches for Jamie Peacock and Jamie Langley in the off-season. "It's irrelevant whether we have recieved it or not," said Daly.

"It is not something we are interested in. We presume it is based on Bradford's disappointment at the outcome of their complaint to the RFL about our approach for Langley and Peacock, for which last week we were completely exonerated by the RFL."