Shaun Edwards is prepared to play through the pain barrier in a bid to give the Bradford Bulls a timely Super League boost against his former Wigan Warriors team mates at Odsal tomorrow night.

Edwards had an injection in his sternum to enable him to line-up against Warrington last week and may need another as the depleted champions attempt to get back on track.

The Great Britain star was forced to sit out training yesterday but says: "I hope that I make it as I am really looking forward to the game. It will probably be as late as Friday afternoon before I know if I am fit to play."

Edwards, who made over 450 appearances for the Central Park club in a glittering career, is not daunted by the prospect despite the Bulls growing injury problems and has a high regard for their coach John Monie.

"I think that we will be going in as massive underdogs but that will not worry us. John Monie is a very astute guy who will have us weighed up. He leaves nothing to chance and has some very talented players in the squad.

"I played some of my best rugby under John. I scored 80 or so tries in two years with John and respect him both as a coach and as a man.

"He handled me pretty well and encouraged me to do things that I am best at, like backing up and finishing moves off."

Edwards' absence would be a further headache for Bulls coach Matthew Elliott especially if skipper Graeme Bradley receives a suspension at tonight's disciplinary hearing in Leeds.

He could gave a debut to shock England call-up Paul Deacon but that would be perhaps asking too much of the teenager and another option would be to employ Nathan Graham at stand-off with Robbie Paul moving to scrum-half.

Paul is relishing another clash with his brother Henry and the chance to strike an important blow in the Bulls bid for the top three.

"I always look forward to the big games and they don't come much bigger than Wigan," he said.

"We have a pretty good record against them in recent seasons but we know it will be tough.

"Henry will try to knock me about but he will have to catch me first! His contract expires at the end of the season and I think he will be looking to show Wigan just what he is worth.

"If he plays well this year the world will be his oyster. We will have to make sure he doesn't start showing Wigan what he is worth until next week."

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