Castleford are on course to defy the pundits who said they would struggle to make the play-offs this season.

Despite some slips including what coach Stuart Raper described as "probably the poorest since I took charge" against Warrington recently they remain firmly on course to battle it out with the best of Super League for Old Trafford glory when the battle really hots-up next month.

The Tigers currently have a five-point advantage over sixth-placed Hull and barring a disastrous late run will again be tough play-off opposition as they proved last term by ending both Wigan and Leeds' hopes.

Bulls coach Matthew Elliott is a big admirer of the way they have developed under Raper despite not having the money of the top clubs.

"They are a very good, well-coached football team and I am certainly not surprised that they are up there again this season," he commented.

"I am a big admirer of their halves Danny Orr and Brad Davis. I rate them very highly and they will also have Dean Sampson back after suspension.

"I know he has had an enforced rest but that will help him, being an older 'big style' player."

But Elliott says Aussie back-rower Dale Fritz is another man to watch even though he rarely grabs the headlines.

"I think he sets the standard as far as impact is concerned and he comes up with consistently good plays for them."

Bulls back-rower Hudson Smith shares his coach's admiration of Fritz.

"I played against him in Australia and he is a big, powerful guy and difficult to tackle. He is always there and he never stops coming at you."

The Tigers can blow hot and cold though as amply demonstrated in last week's 32-16 win over basement boys Huddersfield-Sheffield Giants at Bramall Lane.

They led 20-0 at the break and looked to be on course for a runaway win but allowed the strugglers to outscore them in the second period.

Raper is waiting for the outcome of fitness tests on centre Barrie-Jon Mather and John Wells before announcing his line-up.

But he has already confirmed that hooking brother Aaron Raper, Andrew Purcell amd Logan Campbell will all be missing through injury.