Mick Potter has had his fair share of headaches since returning to Odsal as coach last winter.

But probably the most stressful thing the former Catalan Dragons and St Helens supremo has had to do in the past couple of days is inform some of his squad they were not playing in the Bulls’ final game of the season at Wakefield tonight (8.00).

At the end of an injury-ravaged campaign that has seen Bradford miss out on the play-offs for a third successive year, Potter has all but a couple of his squad available for selection.

Chev Walker, Kyle Briggs and Shaun Ainscough all successfully made it through comebacks from long-term injuries in last weekend’s 48-24 victory over Crusaders.

They are supplemented by the inclusion of back-rowers Tom Olbison and James Donaldson in this week’s 19-man squad.

Gareth Raynor, withdrawn at the 11th hour last Sunday due to a toe injury, is also fit again, although he has also been laid low with a bug for some of the week.

Even utility back Shad Royston has shaken off an arm infection that caused him to spend two days on a drip in hospital since his last appearance at Wigan.

“It’s a pleasant headache to have,” said Potter with an ironic smile where so often there have been frowns after many disappointing displays during Super League XVI.

“The final team won’t be chosen until after our last training session and after I’ve spoken with the other coaches. But it’s our last chance to try and build towards next year.

“I’ve mentioned previously about pride and professional players do take pride in their performance and I think ours showed that last weekend.

“We have to have the same mentality this week – we’re not where we want to be in the table but we want to win and to finish on a good note.”

Opponents Wakefield have the unwanted distinction of the worst defensive record in the league but Potter stresses that breaching the Wildcats’ whitewash is not the most crucial aspect of his game plan.

He explained: “I don’t think we need to worry about scoring points – that’s when you start making mistakes. We need to focus on our defence and if we get that right, the attack will flow from it.

“Scoring points will be furthest from our mind. Winning the physical battle is the first challenge.”

Royston, probably still only 95 per cent fit, has not been included in the final squad so misses out on the chance to clock up a 200th appearance in the British game before going to France to take up a year’s contract with Pia.

The 28-year-old Australian has played 50 times for Batley, 29 for Doncaster, 101 for Halifax and 19 for the Bulls since arriving on these shores in 2004.