Castleford are aiming to crank up the pressure on the Bulls in the race for the top eight.

Tigers currently sit three points adrift of Bradford, who occupy the final play-off spot.

But Cas have won two on the bounce as they look to repeat last year’s seventh place finish – the first time they had qualified for the post-season since 2002.

Former Bull James Evans is still an absentee but the Tigers are set to be boosted by the return of international centre Michael Shenton, who missed last week’s win over Salford with a leg injury.

Shenton is included in Terry Matterson’s 19-man squad as well as back row Ryan Clayton, who had sat out the last two outings with a facial injury he suffered at Wigan.

Half-back Kyle Wood is available again after extending his loan from Huddersfield Giants earlier in the week.

A home victory would push Cas within a point of the Bulls but Matterson expects a tough encounter.

He said: “The Bulls have been up and down this year and, like ourselves, have had to introduce a number of their Academy players. But looking at their likely line-up, they have some very good players on duty.

“For our part, I’m obviously pleased that we have notched back-to-back wins for only the second time this year. I believe that at our best we are capable of making it three in a row.

“But we aren’t getting carried away. We did well against an improving Catalans and then at Salford, but there are still areas for improvement.

“We know that we’ll have to step up a notch against Bradford if we are to maintain our winning run.”

Full back Ryan McGoldrick believes Bulls will take heart from last week’s battling display against Warrington.

The Aussie said: “They have been doing it tough recently. They’ve been struggling with injuries like many sides in the league.

“But they played Warrington last week with a weakened side and didn’t roll over. They battled hard and still have plenty of talent across their side.”