Michael Platt has more incentive than most to topple two of Bradford’s fierce Yorkshire rivals.

As the sole Lancashire lad in the current Bulls side, the Manchester-born centre is ready to wage his own cross-Pennine war in upcoming games against Wakefield and Leeds.

The winter departures of Paul Deacon and Terry Newton, as well as the serious long-term injury suffered by Danny Sculthorpe, have left Platt flying the flag for the red rose county at Odsal this season.

But more than Lancashire pride, Super League progress is on the line in tomorrow night’s trip to Belle Vue.

A Bradford win would lift them to fourth in the table and open a five-point gap between the two teams, but a Wakefield win would close the gap to one and potentially see the Bulls drop to sixth.

Platt said: “Before I joined Bradford I didn’t play in that many big derbies and that is one of the things I enjoyed about coming here.

“The next two are massive games to play in and not only that, they’re both teams that are around us as well.

“They’re both only a few points behind us and it’s important we come away from these matches with victories to really cement our place in the table and kick on a little bit further if possible.

“We’ve got to stay confident and positive. We’ve had that one little blip against Crusaders two weeks ago but aside from that, we have been winning games.

“We’ve got to remember it was just a blip and hopefully we can carry on with the good form.”

Platt is also hoping to continue his own ascent. The 26-year-old former Ireland international has gone from zero to hero in the eyes of many Bulls fans, fulfilling the predictions of head coach Steve McNamara, who tipped him as one to watch following an impressive pre-season.

Unfairly marked as a scapegoat during his side’s difficult 2009 campaign, a switch from full back to centre has brought the best out of Platt.

His powerful running and strong defence have come to the fore in the middle and now he even has his own banner on the terraces, proclaiming ‘Michael Platt’s barmy army’.

He said: “It’s nice when you get that kind of recognition. The fans have rightly so been on my back because we weren’t winning last year and I wasn’t playing as well as I could have done.

“I was as disappointed as them but they’re paying their money and they’ve got a right to voice that opinion. They’ve thoroughly supported me this year and I’ve got to thank them for that.

“I’ve been going reasonably well but I feel there’s a lot more to come. When I’ve got the ball in my hands, I feel I’m pretty dangerous.

“The injury set me back a little bit in recent weeks, meaning I missed the Crusaders game and only played 30 minutes against Leigh.

“But that’s coming along nicely now and hopefully I can start to hit top form when the pitches become a little bit harder and suit players like me.”