BRADFORD Bulls have named their 21-man squad for this weekend’s game against Batley Bulldogs at Odsal, where a win will secure the home side’s place in the Betfred Championship play-offs.
There are welcome returns from injury for Logan Bayliss and Jarrod Sammut, with the latter in the squad alongside fellow half backs Jordan Lilley and Lee Gaskell.
It remains to be seen which one of the three misses out from the start on Sunday, or whether O’Carroll tries to include all three in his line-up, with the versatile Lilley proving to be adept at hooker last season.
Asked which way he might go with that selection decision, O’Carroll said: “I’ve not made my mind up on that yet.
“But it’s certainly nice for us to have that option.”
Eribe Doro is a key absentee though, the second row hurting his back when making a tackle on Cory Aston is last weekend's win over Sheffield.
Bulls have confirmed they are waiting on imaging from the scans Doro has had on his back before they make any additional comments.
They are more hopeful on the prognosis than they were initially last Sunday but as it stands, there is no date yet for Doro's estimated return.
Harvey Makin also returns to the side, the Wigan youngster missing last weekend’s win at Sheffield due to playing for his parent club in the Reserves Grand Final, which the Warriors lost 24-18 to St Helens.
👥 SQUAD | Bradford boss Eamon O'Carroll has named his ASN Doors 21-Man Squad for Sunday's clash with Batley Bulldogs at Bartercard Odsal Stadium (3:00pm!)
— Bradford Bulls (@OfficialBullsRL) September 13, 2024
🎟️ | https://t.co/0mFo3BJ3sG
O’Carroll’s side looks stronger currently than it has for much of the season, with injury and suspension issues finally starting to ease.
If they do secure their play-off spot this weekend, by guaranteeing a top-six finish, they can begin to focus on other targets.
If Bulls come third or fourth, they will be guaranteed a home eliminator on the first weekend of October.
And if Bradford can finish as runners-up behind confirmed league leaders Wakefield, and they are currently only a point behind second-placed Toulouse, they will avoid the eliminators altogether, and head straight into a home play-off semi-final on the second weekend of October.
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