Bradford Bulls will be at ‘full stretch’ for tonight’s game against Warrington Wolves with the club having already confirmed one season-ending injury, whilst also fearing a few other knocks.
The Bulls confirmed on Friday evening that outside back Guy Armitage, who is off-contract and will not be re-signed, had suffered a season-ending hamstring injury meaning that he has played his last game in a Bradford shirt.
Armitage was one of several off-contract players who the club have confirmed that they will not be keeping on, with the former rugby union man even taking to social media himself to confirm that news.
He was also one of four players who picked up knocks in last week’s loss to Hull KR though he is the only one not to be named in the 20-man squad for Saturday’s game against Warrington Wolves, and now it’s been confirmed it’s because of his hamstring injury.
Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds prior to official confirmation of a season-ending blow, assistant coach Lee Greenwood admitted: “You’re probably looking at that now with the length of time that’s left in the season.
“We’re just waiting to 100 per cent double-check that, but he’s looking that way. It’s not a great one.”
Others who came off last week included Connor Wynne (shoulder), Ryan Sutton (ankle) and Loghan Lewis (knee) but the club are hopeful all three can play, with Greenwood explaining: “It’s just another patch we’re going through at the minute, where it’s literally whoever is left standing, you’re in the mix of play.”
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Bradford Bulls trio hopeful to play against Warrington
More specifically on that trio who went off against KR but have been named to the squad for Saturday, Greenwood explained: “Connor will hopefully pull through okay. Sutty (Ryan Sutton) should be fine.
“We brought him off, he was injured but it was more precaution as well, so I think in doing that we’ve allowed him to be up for selection this week, as he’s healed, he’s rested a bit this week, so he should be fine.
“Loghan Lewis is similar. He was carrying that knock anywhere, but we’re hoping he’ll be fine.”
Making matters worse for Bradford is that Greenwood was unable to name any possible returnees, however, the Bulls have since named Jayden Nikorima (shoulder) to their squad.
Greenwood said: “We’re really at sort of full stretch now, we’ve got a list in our office that’s as long as. We’ve had to use another whiteboard to put all the names of people that have been injured out.
“There’s some with return dates that are coming soon, whether this week is one of those weeks, probably not, you’re probably looking at getting some back from next week.
“We were down to about 19 last week, I think, and it’ll be similar numbers for this week.”
He also urged caution about handing out more debuts such as last week with Alfie Leake, stating: “We’d all want to chuck a load of young lads in there and say, go for it, here’s an opportunity, but we’ve got to be smart as well.
“We do have a few reserve lads and young lads that train with us, so that’s good for their development anyway, but whether we can just chuck them in a Super League game, we’ve got to be clever with what we’re doing there.”
