There may not be any league points at stake or any cup ties to be won, but Brian Noble will leave his Bradford squad in no doubt as to how vital January is.

"It is huge, and it is very important that we get it right," said the Bulls coach (pictured).

"Our hopes and aspirations are built around next month, and our work ethic is more important than anything else.

"Other clubs may start on a par with us, but we hope they aren't by the time the season starts."

Noble added: "Our players are back in training on Thursday, and that includes our Great Britain internationals, our New Zealand internationals and our Australian contingent.

"And on January 8 to 18 we are all in warm-weather training at Vilamoura in Portugal, where we will go through the physical aspect from A to Z.

"The days will be long, and we will either be training or thinking from 9am to 10pm daily, and that is what will get the squad right to play.

"We will also take a couple of the younger players, including Stuart Reardon, and we will get the players to give lectures on what their aspirations will be for the season.

"Then, within a few days of us getting back we have our only warm-up match at Castleford on Friday, January 24."

Bulls kick off their Tetley's Super League campaign against fierce rivals St Helens at Knowsley Road on Friday, February 21.