DANNY Brough’s return will come at just the right time for the Bulls.

The veteran playmaker is back ahead of schedule from the torn bicep that has kept him out for the last eight games.

John Kear is thrilled to have Brough back in the ranks for tomorrow’s clash at York as the Bulls look to rubberstamp their play-off spot.

He said: “It is a lift at just the right time.

“We know the importance of the York game and the ones to follow.

It’s great to have Steve Crossley back but it’s extra special to also have Danny Brough returning. It’s a big, big boost.

“It’s a credit to the medical team and conditioning team who have worked really hard in this time.

“He’ll be putting on a shirt and trotting out at York’s new stadium and we’re really looking forward to it.”

Brough has finished on the losing side only once in his eight Championship outings this year, successfully landing 38 out of 40 kicks at goal with two tries and four drop goals.

Kear also includes on-loan Hull FC prop Masi Matongo for his debut as the Bulls make their first visit to the Knights’ home.

Safety chiefs have doubled the capacity allowed to 4,000 – although the Bulls coach is slightly disappointed they did not go higher.

“It would have been great to play to 6,000 or more people in a stadium that was bouncing,” admitted Kear.

“But we’ll certainly enjoy making our debut as a club there. Speaking to other coaches and players, the facilities are fantastic, it does generate a good atmosphere and the playing surface is excellent.

“It’s a good size so it allows you to play expansive rugby league. We’ll certainly enjoy being out on that field and I feel we’ll give a much better account of ourselves than we did last week.”

Kear expects a dramatic improvement after the way the Bulls made hard work of seeing off rock-bottom Swinton.

“We didn’t do our job as a group. The players have taken that on board as we have as coaches as well.

“We may have disrespected them and it almost came to our cost.

“We need to be more intense, more focused and our effort levels need to be higher if we’re to cement that play-off place – and a good play-off place.”

One more win can virtually guarantee a top-six finish and then Kear’s sights will be on third or fourth spot to earn a home start in the play-offs.

The Bulls are currently fourth behind Halifax – who he sees as the main rival to grab one of those alongside Batley.

Kear said: “I feel this game against York is a pretty important one. By my reckoning, it’s quite difficult to drop out of a play-off place if we beat them.

“Third or fourth will be very tough because Batley are in great form at the minute and they’ve got an easy run-in, compared with ourselves and Halifax.

“We’ve got Toulouse on the horizon, just as Halifax have to play Featherstone. So, you’d think Batley will fancy one of them so it looks like it might be down to between us and Halifax for the other.”

York are not in the picture after a hit-and-miss campaign but are coming off an impressive win over seventh-placed Whitehaven.

Kear added: “You’d say York personnel-wise are better than their league position shows.

“But they do look to have hit a bit of form recently and anybody with the calibre of individuals they’ve got must be respected and feared.

“The other factor is the fair old rivalry that has built up between York and Bradford in the last three of four years. There is added spice with that as well.

“I know we beat them last time out but I think they’ll feel they have slightly shaded it over the past few years. We need to make sure that balance tips more towards Bradford in the fullness of time.”