Bradford Bulls coach Brian Noble insists there will be nothing Mickey Mouse about their sunshine retreat to Florida.

Noble was heading a 26-man playing squad which headed for Jacksonsville today and pledged it will be hard work all the way as the 2001 season draws ever nearer.

"It's certainly not a holiday because it's such a crucial period of our preparation for what lies ahead," said Noble.

"The itinerary the coaching staff have drawn up will mean that the players will be kept occupied from 9am through to 10pm with very few exceptions.

"A lot of the players know from the experience of previous training camps we have had in Lanzarote in the last few seasons that they will be arriving back in ten-days feeling shattered."

This year Noble admits the camp probably takes on even more significance.

"So many of our players were involved in the World Cup that we have not had much time together as a full squad.

"Bonding the players together as a unit is essential and, since the middle of last week when Shane Rigon and Joe Vagana arrived, it has been very pleasing to see the way they have started coming together and one of the main purposes of this camp is to cement that togetherness which will be so important when we get out on the pitch."

The Bulls will be based at the North Florida University in Jacksonville and Noble says it represents a chance to make the most of state-of-the-art facilities on one site.

"It is also used an Olympic training centre so the gymnasium, running track and swimming pools are all of the standard you would expect from one of the world's leading sporting nations.

"In addition we will be doing plenty of work on the emotional side and players will be giving lectures on all aspects of the game."

The party includes youngsters Alex Wilkinson, Craig McDowell and Paul Sykes who all made the Bulls senior squad last season.

Also making the trip are hooker Gareth Stanley and prop Chris Birchall who made their first team debuts in the final scheduled Super League game of last season at Hull in September.

Winger Nathan McAvoy will step up his rehabilitation after a knee reconstruction at the Florida training camp.

Noble believes McAvoy will benefit greatly from the trip.

"Nathan isn't going to be able to join in all the work by any means, but he can now run in a straight line and the facilities out there mean we can give him the best chance of a speedy recovery.

"We will also be doing a lot of our tactical work for the season so he needs to be there for that too."

McAvoy suffered cruciate ligament damage on his last trip to Florida with the England World Cup squad in October.

Meanwhile, there was no further news today on the Bulls' move for Leeds three-quarter Graham Mackay.

Noble has held talks with the 32-year-old Aussie but the player is still considering his future.

Bulls squad: R Paul, Vaikona, Pryce, McAvoy, Withers, H Paul, Deacon, Vagana, Lowes, Anderson, Gartner, Forshaw, Gilmour, Rigon, Wilkinson, Birchall, Radford, Peacock, Naylor, McDermott, Stanley, McDowell, Sykes, Parker, Spruce, Fielden.