Bradford Bulls coach Matthew Elliott insists hard work is the only recipe to get back on track in their bid to finish top of Super League for the third time in four years.

Two defeats and a draw in their last six games have left the Bulls trailing St Helens and Wigan for top spot and seen deadly rivals Leeds close the gap on them to five points.

But as his side prepared for tonight's visit of play-off rivals Castleford Tigers to Odsal, Elliott insisted: "I don't think our performances have been that bad. I just think they have been a bit below the standard we have set ourselves.

"I have to make sure I don't get caught up in other people's assessments of how the team is playing.

"We are disappointed we are not playing as well as we can, but there is no panic in the team.

"We realise that the way to get back to our best is through hard work and that is what we are prepared to do.

"I still have every confidence in this squad of players to do the job."

The loss to injury of in-form skipper Robbie Paul is hardly the best tonic as the Bulls look to recapture the form which saw them eclipse all-comers in the first half of the season, but Elliott feels they can overcome the handicap.

"Losing Robbie is obviously a big blow to us," said Elliott. "He has played a very influential part for us this season.

"He leaves a big space that we need to fill, and while Paul Deacon will have a big part to play in that so will the rest of the team.

"I am confident that we have the qualities in both leadership and playing ability to do that."

Leon Pryce is set for a recall after being left out at Halifax last week.

Nathan McAvoy, who has a knee injury, and Justin Brooker, suffering from ankle trouble, are both struggling to be fit.