THE Bulls are ready to start putting “round pegs in round holes” again as their injury crisis eases.

Jordan Lilley returns against Dewsbury at Odsal tomorrow after a month out.

That means John Kear can finally field a specialist half-back pairing – and free hooker Matty Wildie from his stand-in duties.

With Ross Peltier lined up for his first outing in next week’s Challenge Cup clash with Featherstone, the Bulls coach can see a settled pattern returning to the team.

Read more: Andrew Chalmers on Brian Barwick exit

Kear said: “It’s round pegs for round holes. It becomes a lot more recognisable and orthodox – and hopefully a lot more cohesive.

“Having Jordan back gives us a big lift.

“We signed Matty Wildie as a hooker and we want to play him there. The kid has done a great job in the halves but we want him at hooker.

“Last week was an opportunity to do that as well as give Brandon (Pickersgill) a shot at the half-back position.

“Now, obviously Jordan Lilley comes back and you pair him with Rowan Milnes, allowing us to play Matty Wildie at nine.

“It’s looking a more orthodox spine, shall we say.”

Peltier hoped to be involved tomorrow but Kear is taking no chances with the forward, whose last game was five months ago on international duty with Jamaica.

“Ross will play against Featherstone,” added Kear. “He was pushing to play this week but I’m trying to look at the bigger picture.

“For the sake of it, I’d sooner err on the side of safety.”

Dewsbury are currently three points behind the Bulls but head into the West Yorkshire derby on the back of an impressive 32-22 win at Featherstone a fortnight ago.

Kear said: “We’ve done most of our prep from that. Dewsbury were outstanding in that game.

“They went to Post Office Road and didn’t just beat Featherstone but beat them comfortably.

“We’ve got to prepare for that Dewsbury arriving at Odsal. They won’t be daunted about coming here.

“If you look at their results, there has been a steady improvement over the season. They take some beating.

“I take you back to the Toronto game as well. They’ve got a big forward pack who are very aggressive, with a couple of nifty hookers who come off the back of that.

“They’ve got a half-back in Liam Finn, who was strutting his stuff in Super League a year ago. They’ve got some three-quarters who provide some real punch and finish.

“They’re a tough old team and we know that from the Yorkshire Cup game. We only beat them with a penalty goal and I expect it to be every bit as difficult this time.”

After the narrow scrape at Keighley last week, Kear is looking for a response in the approaching Odsal double-header with Dewsbury and Featherstone. But he was happy to land a home tie in the Challenge Cup draw.

“These are a good couple of games to get our heads back on.

“If we are going to progress to the next round of the cup, we’re going to have to play well to beat Featherstone.

“From a club perspective, it’s a very good draw because they are a well-supported team. There should be a good crowd to swell the coffers.

“On the other side of it, we’re at home and we’re against a team who are difficult to beat – but very beatable. It probably is the ideal draw.”