Terry Newton is confident the Bulls won’t fire blanks for a second game running against Hull FC.

The dejected Great Britain hooker cut a frustrated figure four weeks ago when his side failed to make their domination count, eventually crashing out of the Carnegie Challenge Cup.

Newton continually tried prompting his spluttering side but they could not strike out wide versus the Airlie Birds and it ended in a shock quarter-final defeat at Odsal.

That signalled the start of Bradford’s four-match losing sequence but the rivals quickly clash once more at the same venue on Sunday with Super League points now up for grabs.

This time Newton insists Bradford will have the penetration required to force a different result, insisting: “After that last game, our attack has improved immensely.

“We were poor that day but I think we showed against St Helens just last week what a great attacking side we are.

“I was sat in the crowd but we played some quality stuff and I don’t think the final scoreline reflected the game.

“We were in it until the 60-minute mark but we’ve got to do it for 80 against Hull and produce more of the same.”

A long-standing shoulder injury saw Newton sidelined for the trip to Knowsley Road, which finally ended in a 58-20 defeat.

But importantly he has been passed fit for Sunday’s contest and his creativity, decision-making and charisma will be much-needed to douse an improving Hull outfit.

Newton’s return sees stand-in rake Iestyn Harris move back to stand-off with a chance to make up for his horror last outing versus Hull. Paul Sykes reverts to centre, with James Evans likely to bench.

“I’ve not lifted any weights for about two months because of the injury but it seems to have settled down and I’m hoping to manage it until the end of the season,” said 29-year-old Newton.

“We’re in for a massive game with Hull. I’ve been speaking to some of their players, who think they are actually going to make it into the top six.

“They’ve got a new coach in Richard Agar, all the boys are confident in his ability and they are buzzing again – but they’ll have to beat us if they are really going to get there.

“We’re out to make sure that doesn’t happen, while getting our own season moving too.”

Written off for much of the year, Hull have edged up to tenth – still seven points adrift of the play-offs, while Bradford have unfamiliarly fallen out of the six themselves.

A much-needed win could send them straight back in and Newton’s battle with Aussie star Shaun Berrigan will undoubtedly have a big say on matters.

A typically constructive display may also nudge England coach Tony Smith towards handing the player a well-deserved international recall for next Friday’s Test against France.