BULLS have suffered a major blow ahead of their Challenge Cup clash against Featherstone Rovers on Sunday, with in-form Matty Dawson-Jones ruled out with a broken arm picked up in training.

Head coach John Kear said he expects the winger to be missing for around six weeks, meaning he is also set to miss vital Championship fixtures against the likes of Sheffield and Halifax.

Dawson-Jones was arguably man of the match in Bradford's pre-season defeat to Swinton a fortnight ago, but having picked up that little knock ahead of the clash with Keighley, he was left out as a precaution.

But with the injury troubling him further, he went to see a specialist this week, where he was found to have a break in his upper arm.

The consolation for Bradford is that they do have other decent wing options, including Joe Brown, Elliot Wallis and Reece Hamlett.

In better news, hooker and vice-captain Sam Hallas is back in the squad for the first time this season after recovering from a hand injury.

Half-back Matty Race returns after missing both pre-season games with a knock, good news for Kear, who is without the suspended Jordan Lilley for the next two games.

Aaron Murphy (knock) and Anthony England (knee) are both still not yet fit to return.

Trialist Brad Calland is left out from the squad that came up against Keighley last week, as are David Foggin-Johnston, Bradley Ho and Joe Burton.

But new signings Anthony Walker and Jack Sanderson are included.

Veteran stand-off Danny Brough is in line to make his competitive debut for Bulls too, after proving to be one of the bright spots of a disappointing pre-season.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: