JOHN Kear fears the Super League’s crowded schedule is “killing” players as the Bulls feel the knock-on effect.

They have seen four recent loan recruits taken back early by top-flight clubs desperate for extra bodies because of the rising number of injuries and Covid cases.

Kear will now be hoping that Hull KR chief Tony Smith allows Joe Keyes to prolong his Odsal return after an impressive performance against Batley.

It is a tough situation for the Bulls who have been relying on short-term additions to fill gaps left by their own casualty list.

And Kear feels it is getting harder because of the problems currently facing Super League teams with their draining fixture list.

He said: “Super League clubs have just played an international where loads have been involved and they’ve had something like four games in two weeks.

“We are killing the players. The fixture planners really need to think about that when they are working it out.

“They should look at the length of the season and design a fixture list that incorporates free weekends for internationals.

“You’d see an improvement in games rather than clubs playing two or three times a week and being busted and the standard of competition not being as good.

“You ring round Super League coaches to see who’s available and you tend to draw a blank nine times out of 10. That’s what we’ve got to deal with.

“It is difficult but I’d sooner be playing than being stuck at home in lockdown.”

Mitieli Vulikijapani, Olly Wilson, Ashton Golding and Ellis Robson have all been recalled at short notice from the Bulls by their parent clubs.

Kear admitted: "That's the idea of it for a Super League coach.

"You send an Ash Golding here, he plays two great games and then you think, 'right he's game ready for me'.

"We're in the Championship and we've just got to live with that. I don't think it's worth getting upset about."