Manchester United fanatic Matty Blythe cannot wait to run out at the home of their great rivals in the Magic Weekend clash with Huddersfield.

Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium will stage the annual bonanza over two days for the second year running and Blythe is relishing the Super League clash with the high-flying Giants.

The on-loan Warrington centre, 24, scored a hat-trick of tries in the Wolves’ 68-4 Magic Weekend win over Widnes last year and is aiming to make a similar impression on Sunday.

Blythe, who claimed a fine brace in last weekend’s win at Salford, said: “I’m a United fan and I scored my first hat-trick last year at City’s ground!

“There were mixed emotions because I love United, and I do watch them whenever I can, but the Etihad is a great stadium. It doesn’t really matter where we’re playing, though. We’re going there to do a job.”

Blythe, who recently returned to the side after a lengthy injury absence, reckons Francis Cummins’ men can beat any side in Super League on their day.

The Bulls stuffed high-flying Huddersfield at the John Smith’s Stadium earlier in the season and Blythe said: “The Etihad Stadium is a neutral venue and anything can happen there.

“We’ve beaten Huddersfield before but we’re not going to dwell on that. They’ve had a few good wins lately and will be on a high – but we’ll be on a high too after beating Salford last week.

“It’s a great stadium, it’ll be a good day out for everyone and we’ve got a strong bond within this team.

“We sat down during pre-season and discussed our goals for the year ahead. We said we were going to work hard for each other and it’s a situation we’ve relished.

“We might sometimes not get the results but we’ll then regroup and we’re always confident we can beat any team.”

Blythe is under contract to his parent club until the end of next season and looks set to return there next year.

But when asked about the prospect of joining the Bulls permanently, he said: “It’s not up to me. I’ve got another year at Warrington and then we’ll see what happens.

“As long as I’m playing rugby, playing well and enjoying myself then it doesn’t really matter.

“I’m not really looking at that until the end of the year, so obviously I’ve got a job to do this year at the Bulls. I’m relishing that and I’m looking forward to it.”

Sunday’s match marks Adrian Purtell’s first return to the Etihad Stadium since he suffered a heart attack in the aftermath of last year’s Magic Weekend defeat to Leeds 12 months ago.

Purtell has since rediscovered his best form with a series of outstanding displays and Blythe said: “He’s a massive player – a massive character and a great bloke.

“His professionalism is outstanding and the way he has come back so strongly is testament to his desire and his character.

“Going back to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday might be a factor but, being a professional, I don’t think it will bother him that much.”

Adam Sidlow is set to return for the Bulls after missing last week’s win at Salford with a shoulder problem.

Meanwhile, Bradford Thunderbirds players Kirsty Moroney, Lois Forsell, Amy Hardcastle, Lauren Stallwood and Rachel Twibill have been included in a 24-strong England squad for the Women’s Rugby League World Cup in July.

England will face stiff competition from Australia, France and three-time winners New Zealand, with the final to be held at Headingley Carnegie Stadium, in Leeds on Sunday, July 14.