MARCUS Green was named Bulls’ best player by their fans after the loss at Batley last Sunday, with head coach Mark Dunning admitting the emergence of some of the club’s youngsters has been one bright spot in a troubled season.

Bradford have finished well outside the play-offs following a miserable end to the campaign, and the club’s current injury list is a lengthy one.

But the likes of Green, Myles Lawford and George Flanagan Jr have provided reasons to be hopeful for the future.

Dunning said: “It’s been very pleasing seeing how many young lads have debuted in the first-team this year.

“Aside from Marcus, Myles and George, there’s Mick Hoyle, who played against Featherstone and is in contention to face Widnes this weekend.

“You forget that AJ Wallace is still a very young man too, as is Joe Burton.

“If you look at how our youngsters have done, it’s been one shining light in a difficult season for us.”

Poor Lawford will miss out on the season finale on Sunday with a suspected dislocated shoulder, one of three players to leave the field against Batley with a serious injury, alongside Samy Kibula (suspected torn hamstring) and Chester Butler (suspected torn glute).

Bulls’ latest injury woes don’t end there either, with a despondent Dunning saying: “George Flanagan (Sr) is struggling with his thumb injury, as is Kieran Gill with a knee issue.

“We’re awaiting a scan to learn the extent of Jacob Gannon’s knee injury too.”

Bulls could be forgiven for just wanting the season to end now, but Dunning insisted: “It’s one more opportunity (Sunday) to do our fans proud at home.

“We’ve had some bad times this season, but this is a perfect chance to see 2022 off and put it to bed.

“Nobody is wishing for the season to be over just yet, as every player has one more chance to leave the shirt in a better position than it was before the game.”