Aussie newcomer Daniel Gartner faces a fitness check today which will make or break his hopes of taking his Silk Cut Challenge Cup bow at Valley Parade this weekend.

The former Manly and Northern Eagles forward suffered a toe injury in his only outing for the Bulls so far at Wakefield a week ago.

His training has been restricted ever since, but Bulls coach Brian Noble and his medical staff will put him through his paces when they report back today following their rest day.

"It's a strange injury and difficult to assess when it might clear-up, but we are quite hopeful," said Noble.

"He will definitely be in the side if he comes through OK. I think he showed in the first half-hour at Wakefield just what a quality player he is.

''He has the full range of skills and great awareness."

Meanwhile, fellow countryman Shane Rigon has also been included in a provisional squad of 19 for the cup tie with Widnes, despite breaking his nose at Hull on Sunday.

"Shane is the unluckiest man in the country at the moment, but he is very keen to play and it is not uncommon for players to carry on with a broken nose," said Noble.

Youngster Lee Radford is also included in the squad in case either Gartner or Rigon are ruled out, suggesting he could figure more often during the Noble reign.

"Lee is really bashing on the first team door, and he understands that this season has to be his season," added Noble, who anticipates a robust challenge from their Northern Ford Premiership opponents, despite them losing two league games and drawing another 6-6 at Barrow on Sunday.

"They are packed with players with Super League experience, including Karle Hammond, Martin Crompton and Stephen Holgate, and I'm sure they will come here and have a real dig," said Noble.

Bulls (from): Spruce, Vaikona, Wilkinson, Gilmour Naylor, Withers, H Paul, R Paul, Deacon, McDermott, Lowes, Vagana, Fielden, Anderson, Peacock, Gartner, Rigon, Radford, Forshaw.

lThe Bulls' new-look strip, incorporating traditional red, amber and black chevrons, will be available at the club's retail outlets from tomorrow.