INJURED Bulls ace James Lowes is hoping his colleagues can help speed his recovery rate with victory over his old club in tomorrow night's big Super League derby at Odsal.

Last season's Man of Steel and Super League player-of-the-year is ruled out with knee trouble but is eager to see the Bulls give the perfect response to some confident Rhinos predictions in the Leeds press.

"I still live in Leeds and they obviously fancy their chances tomorrow," said Lowes. "There has been a lot said and it makes me laugh because they did the same last year and this game has a habit of ramming your words down your throat.

"I really do hope the boys can roll them over."

But Lowes believes his hometown club will be a tougher nut to crack than in their four Super League meetings which have all gone the way of the Bulls.

"Their coach Graham Murray has made a big impact and they gave Warrington a bit of a flogging last week.

"It is going to be really hard but I still think we are going to take some beating this year," he added.

Bulls coach Matthew Elliott will again decide between Bernard Dwyer and Nathan Graham to fill Lowes hooking role.

"Any game you are without Jimmy is a blow," confessed Elliott. "I am a big fan and rate him as the best hooker in the country. We are just very fortunate to have got people of the calibre of Bernard and Nathan to back up."

Elliott is relishing the challenge presented by an improved Rhinos oufit and the prospect of a bumper Odsal gate.

"I don't cringe in those situation. I love being involved against the top sides because it represents a bigger challenge for players and coaching staff alike," he said.

Aussie Murray, who guided unfancied Hunter Mariners through to the World Club Championship final last season, knows he has a big task on his hands in only his second Super League game.

"The Bulls are a very powerful side. Even their wingers are very big men but we would like to think that we could match them in those areas.

"The forwards are a powerful group but you don't have to be too clever to work out that Robbie Paul is one of their main strengths and that Danny Peacock is very dangerous as is Shaun Edwards.

"They have a pretty good all round balance but if you have to mark someone out of the game it would have to be Robbie Paul."

Murray has named the side that defeated Warrington but there is a slight doubt over prop Martin Masella who has a viral infection and Jamie Field is on stand-by to join the squad.

The Bulls Academy side taken on their Leeds counterparts in a curtain-raiser (4.00pm).

lFans are being urged to wear sunglasses at the game to promote the "Men in Black" theme.

"Even if it is raining we feel it will add to the atmosphere and want as many fans as possible to join in the fun," said Bulls marketing manager Jackie Butson.

Bulls: (from) Spruce, Vaikona, Calland, Peacock, Scales, Ekoku, Crouthers, Paul, Edwards, Bradley, McDermott, Dwyer, Graham, Reihana, Forshaw, Donougher, McNamara, Jowitt, Nickle.

Leeds: Harris; Sterling, Blackmore, Godden, Cummins; Kemp, Sheridan; Masella, Newton, Fleary, Morley, Farrell, Glanville. Subs: Holroyd, Powell, St Hilaire, Mathiou.

Referee: Stuart Cummings (Widnes).

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.