Mick Potter has thrown down the gauntlet to the Bulls’ aspiring stars, urging them to justify a spot in the first-team squad.

The Bradford boss today unveiled squad numbers for the coming season, with only 26 players granted a shirt ahead of the opener against Leeds on February 13.

It means youngsters John Bateman, Tom Burgess, Vinny Finigan, Liam McAvoy, Adam O’Brien and Cain Southernwood have initially been excluded, despite training full-time with the club.

Instead, the onus is on them to merit consideration in the selection debate.

Potter said: “It was initially going to be 25 but Kyle Briggs came in at the 11th hour. I think it’s better for the guys to earn the right to be in the squad.

“Even if you do carry that buffer of extra squad numbers for the top squad, I think you have to earn it. It gives the other guys the cue to prove they deserve that.

“Squad numbers do reflect my thinking on selection to a degree but if there’s a higher number there who’s playing better than a lower number, they’ll get the start.”

Among the surprises in the list of squad numbers is Michael Platt’s inclusion at No 1.

Although Platt was initially signed as a full back in 2007, he was converted to centre last year and justified selection through a string of solid performances.

Elsewhere in the backline, new signings Chev Walker and Patrick Ah Van have been named at No 4 and 5 respectively, while Aussie arrival Marc Herbert has inherited the No 7 shirt vacated by Matt Orford.

“Platty’s practised at full back, he’s practised at centre and he’s practised on the wing,” said Potter.

“Given that we’ve brought in Chev Walker and Patrick Ah Van, it was just the way the numbers fitted a little bit more easily.

“It probably wouldn’t have been the right thing for Chev to go in at No 1, so it was better for him to go in at No 4. It fits a bit better and the more senior players get the lower numbers as well.”

Up front, Heath L’Estrange has kept hold of the No 9 jersey – despite the arrival of former Leeds hooker Matt Diskin – while Elliott Whitehead has been promoted to No 12, with Olivier Elima taking No 11 following his switch from Catalans.

Danny Addy has also earned a promotion to No 21, which is back in use after being retired for a 15-year spell in honour of club legend Karl Fairbank.

Potter said: “Heath deserved to keep the No 9. It’s well-documented how good a player Matty Diskin is, and you’ve seen that over the years with Leeds, but it wouldn’t have been fair to take the shirt off Heath.

“Elliott did very well last year and performed very well in an understrength team. Even when the team wasn’t going so well, he did everything possible to get the team playing a little better.

“He’s deserved the upgrade in his number and I hope he continues to improve. I don’t think you’ve seen the best of Elliott yet.”

Bulls squad numbers (last season in brackets): 1 Michael Platt (15); 2 Dave Halley (1); 3 Paul Sykes (3); 4 Chev Walker; 5 Patrick Ah Van; 6 Brett Kearney (6); 7 Marc Herbert; 8 Nick Scruton (8); 9 Heath L’Estrange (9); 10 Andy Lynch (10); 11 Olivier Elima; 12 Elliott Whitehead (20); 13 Jamie Langley (13); 14 Matt Diskin; 15 Bryn Hargreaves; 16 Craig Kopczak (18); 17 Ian Sibbit; 18 Shaun Ainscough; 19 Gareth Raynor; 20 James Donaldson (22); 21 Danny Addy (32); 22 Steve Crossley (23); 23 Tom Olbison (24); 24 Jason Crookes (19); 25 Shad Royston; 32 Kyle Briggs.