The Bulls will fight tooth and nail to keep skipper Andy Lynch, according to coach Mick Potter.

The 30-year-old prop is believed to be a target of Hull FC, with rumours rife that it’s a done deal.

Lynch, who still has 12 months remaining on his contract at Odsal, was unavailable for comment but Potter, while neither confirming nor refuting any interest from the KC Stadium, said: “He’s been about our best forward throughout the year, so why would we want him to go?

“He’s doing a good job for us so I can understand if there is interest.

“But even if they came up with a mountain of money, I’d still be silly not to want to try and keep him.”

Former players and supporters’ player of the year Lynch has proved to be an immovable rock amid stormy seas in recent times.

He signed for the Bulls at the end of 2004, following his only other professional club Castleford’s relegation from Super League, and has made more than 200 appearances for the Odsal outfit, scoring 46 tries and playing more games than anyone else this season.

Noises emanating from East Yorkshire lend weight to rumours rocketing around on the internet that there is fire below the smoke, but the T&A understands there are several issues that would need sorting out before any move for Lynch could become reality.

And only yesterday the Black and Whites announced that they had already further strengthened their pack with the signing of Wigan’s Irish international prop Eamon O’Carroll.

Bulls' next opponents Wakefield are expected to announce their new coach before Friday’s final Super League game and Bulls No 2 Francis Cummins has been a late addition to the shortlist of candidates, which includes former Bulls boss Brian Noble, outgoing Hull FC coach Richard Agar and French international chief Bobbie Goulding.

While former Leeds stalwart Cummins appeared flattered at being linked with the job, he didn’t wish to comment but Potter said: “It’s a good thing for Franny if it’s true. Super League needs more British coaches and he’s very competent in everything that he does here for us and I’m sure he’d do a good job for someone.

“Wakefield could certainly do far worse than Francis Cummins.”